The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UCLA
No. 8/8 Texas Softball defeats No. 7/5 UCLA, 5-4
02.25.2012 | Softball
Feb. 25, 2012
Box Score 
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Senior second baseman Lexy Bennett (Kingwood, Texas/Second Baptist HS) provided the go-ahead runs in the 5th inning Saturday with a two-run homer as the No. 8/8 Texas Longhorns beat the No. 7/5 UCLA Bruins, 5-4, in Cathedral City Classic action. Bennett finished with three RBI as the Longhorns bounced back after suffering a 5-1 loss yesterday to No. 1 Florida.
Junior All-America right-hander Blaire Luna (5-0) gave up four runs in seven innings with six walks and nine strikeouts to aid the Longhorns improve to 11-1 on the season. Sophomore outfielder Brejae Washington went 2-for-4 with two RBI for Texas.
In the top of the third, Taylor Hoagland produced an infield single and advanced to second on an illegal pitch called against UCLA's Ally Carda. Washington then slapped a double to right for the first run of the game.
Andrea Harrison answered for the Bruins (10-2) with a leadoff double in the bottom of the third, followed by Stephany LaRosa's single. Luna was called for an illegal pitch, which tied the game. Kellie Fox put runners at the corners again with a bunt single and Samantha Camuso put UCLA up by the 2-1 score with an RBI single to right. With a runner on in the fifth, Bennett belted her third homer of the season to left center to give the Longhorns the lead for good. The Longhorns were able to load the bases in the sixth with Washington lining a single to left and Bennett being hit by a pitch to give Texas a three-run lead.
UCLA got one run back in the sixth on LaRosa's single to right for the 5-3 Texas advantage.
Luna ran into trouble in the bottom of the seventh after allowing a single and walk. Carda, who suffered her first loss (5-1) on the season, tried to lay down a bunt, but Nadia Taylor was able to grab the bunt and throw to Taylor Thom at third to get the lead runner. Talee Snow then singled up the middle to get the Bruins within one, but Luna got a pop-up from Katie Schroeder for the second out before Harrison lined out to Bennett to end the game.
Texas concludes play this weekend tomorrow against No. 22 Nebraska with an 11 a.m. Central Time start (9 a.m. Pacific).
Notes: Lexy Bennett moved into sixth place on the Texas career list for hits (190), passing Tina Boutelle (2003-06)...Bennett is now tied with current teammate Courtney Craig for sixth place for career home runs at UT (26)...Brejae Washington is tied with current teammate Taylor Hoagland for seventh place on the career list for stolen bases (47)...Bennett now has 118 career RBI and needs five to tie Jodi Reeves (1997-2000) for second place...Texas is now 5-8 all-time against UCLA, winning two of the last three meetings between the two schools.
Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Connie Clark
On the team bouncing back after yesterday's loss to No. 1 Florida: I think the tempo was set with the team meeting we had earlier today. I loved that they took ownership of yesterday's approach in some of the behaviors. Granted, we talked about the quick turnaround and fatigue after playing a doubleheader late in the night on Thursday, but everyone here has to deal with it. I loved that they took ownership and said `that is not happening today'. Their whole approach during the warm-ups was much more aggressive and they couldn't wait to play this game today. I think it showed up and (Taylor) Hoagland's first at-bat was phenomenal and we knew it was going to be a good night.
On Blaire Luna's performance tonight: Blaire has had some off-time this week so I wasn't expecting her to be as sharp or have great command. She had some good learning moments tonight in regard to the fact she started second-guessing herself and she's way too good for that. (Catcher) Mandy Ogle, in my opinion, was the player of the game for us because she was the difference-maker in getting Blaire through that game and just keeping the calm through the fire.
On Lexy Bennett's home run: I think the nice thing about for Lexy is that she was struggling this weekend a bit at the plate. She usually squares the ball so well and is so mechanically sound that she is so tough to beat. She had to work through some things and I think that's exactly what we are looking for here. You have to work through things. It's a game of failure and you have to work through things, so keep working through it. I was very excited to see her do that and make an adjustment from her first at-bat tonight. Hoagland made some good adjustments as well.
On playing a 9 a.m. game tomorrow after a big win: For us, it's setting an earlier curfew and mandating ice bags. It's up to the team to take care of the rest in regards of the competitive spirit whether we are playing at midnight or 6 a.m. I think they learned that so I'm anxious to see how we will do tomorrow.
Senior second baseman Lexy Bennett
On what she was looking for in the fifth inning before hitting her home run: I struggled with the at-bat before so I was just looking to put the ball in play and get something going, preferably on the ground, but I just happened to get it in the air.
On how her home run changed the complexion of the game: It was huge for us, especially to come back and get those runs. I think that put the momentum back on us, got our confidence and energy back up as well. I think that helps our pitchers when we give them a one-run lead as opposed to pitching behind by a run.
