The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Cal State Northridge
No. 8/8 Texas Softball opens with 4-0 shutout in Cathedral City.
02.23.2012 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2012
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- Freshman Gabby Smith (Houston/Bellaire HS) threw a season-high 10 strikeouts as the No. 8/8 Texas Longhorns shut out the Cal State Northridge Matadors, 4-0, in first-day action at the Classic of Cathedral City. Senior second baseman Lexy Bennett continued her strong season at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Longhorns.
Taylor Hoagland led off the game for the visiting Longhorns with a single, but after she was called out at first for leaving the base too early, CSUN (0-11) starter Mia Aquino retired eight straight Longhorns (9-0). UT finally got to Aquino in the fourth. Hoagland walked to start the inning and advanced to second on Brejae Washington¡¦s sacrifice. Bennett then blooped an RBI triple down the right field line with Courtney Craig making it back-to-back triples with a blast off the fence in center for a 2-0 lead. Nadia Taylor then singled home Craig for the three-run lead.
Washington singled in the fifth, stealing twice and scoring on Bennett¡¦s RBI single for the 4-0 advantage. Smith cruised until the seventh when a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases for CSUN with no outs. Kim Bruins came in for Smith in relief and mowed down the first two batters she faced. Mandy Ogle then picked off Abby Linn at first base to end the game and give Texas its sixth shutout on the season.
Post-Game Notes
-- Gabby Smith has not allowed a run in 11 1/3 innings this season. -- Taylor Thom saw her season-opening hitting streak of eight games snapped. -- With her first RBI tonight, Lexy Bennett moved into third place all alone in the Texas career RBI list.
