The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Sam Houston State
No. 6 Softball opens weekend series with 5-0 shutout of Sam Houston State
03.02.2012 | Softball
March 2, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas - Blaire Luna (Austin/Bowie HS) tied a season high with 13 strikeouts Friday as the No. 6 Texas Longhorns opened a three-game series with the 5-0 shutout against the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Luna recorded double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time this season as she remained perfect on the year with a 7-0 mark. Texas has won five straight games as the pitching staff has not allowed a run in 28 2/3 innings, a new season high. The Longhorns (15-1) opened the season with 28 1/3 scoreless innings.
Taylor Hoagland opened the Texas first with a single to left, stole second and later scored on Lexy Bennett's RBI single to center. In the bottom of the third, the Longhorns pushed across three runs. Bennett hit a fly ball to right in foul territory that allowed Karina Scott to score. Courtney Craig then singled home Hoagland for the 3-0 lead. Craig stole second and would score on Taylor Thom's single.
Nadia Taylor doubled to lead off the Longhorns' sixth inning, replaced by Gabby Smith as a pinch runner. Smith would score on Kim Bruins' single to center to finish the scoring for Texas.
Luna did not allow a runner past second base tonight and closed out the win for Texas with five consecutive strikeouts.
Texas continues its series with Sam Houston State tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
Notes: Tonight was the 10th shutout recorded by the Texas pitching staff...it's the longest scoreless inning streak of the season (Texas opened the season by throwing 28 1/3 scoreless innings)...Blaire Luna recorded her 30th career shutout...Luna is 7-0 on the season with a 0.81 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings...Lexy Bennett is now in sole possession of fifth place on the Texas career list for hits (194)...Bennett recorded two RBI in a game for the fifth time this season...Bennett now has a five-game hitting streak, her longest of the season...Taylor Hoagland is now sixth on the Texas career list for runs scored (112)...Hoagland is riding a three-game hitting streak, tying her season best, and has reached base safely in each of her last six games, also matching a season high...with a pinch hit in the sixth, Kim Bruins is riding a season-high three-game hitting streak.
SHSU 000-000-0---0-2-1 TEXAS 103-001-x---5-8-0WP - Luna (7-0) LP - Garrison (1-5) Records: Texas (15-1), Sam Houston State (1-11)
Garrison and Isbell. Luna and Ogle.
Post-Game Quotes
Head Coach Connie Clark
On the team's energy level: I thought our energy was great tonight. We have been talking about that all week. I keep wanting to get to the next day to see how their energy level is because it has been a heavy stretch for us. Even after a tough practice last night, they came out ready to go today. [Junior RHP] Blaire [Luna] got better as the game went on and I wasn't surprised by that. We haven't gotten a lot of work in during the last week and a half with a real minor injury. Nonetheless, we are trying to get her back and get some reps. It is good to see her go the distance and I thought she got stronger as the game went on.
On the fly ball that Sam Houston State caught in foul territory but Texas was able to score on in the third inning: It was basically like a sac-fly, it was just in foul territory. I was a little surprised with runners at second and third that she went and caught it in foul territory. Typically, that is something they would let go. I'm not so sure she was convinced that [it was foul]. She put such a good swing on it that it just kept tailing. It was close to being fair so I think that is what the right fielder had in mind. Karina [Scott] did a great job of staying patient at third and making sure she tagged up. Taylor Hoagland did a nice job from second of reading that and actually getting to third as well. It was good base running.
Junior RHP Blaire Luna
On her 13 strikeouts and the team's defensive effort: It was nice [team defense]. It was rough for me kind of working through a lot of things, especially with my drop ball not being on tonight. It kind of got there toward the end. I think the defense did a very good job, as well as the offense.
On your game plan going into tonight: We had a goal, [Head] Coach [Connie] Clark and I, going into this game. It was to try and have less than one or two walks. I was just trying to stay ahead of the counts and not throw too many pitches. I kind of struggled with my drop ball throughout the game so I was working through that.
