The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
No. 6/5 Softball slams way to 8-4 win at Iowa State
03.23.2012 | Softball
March 23, 2012
AMES, Iowa - Nadia Taylor went 2-for-3 with a home run and career-tying four RBI Friday as the No. 6/5 Texas Longhorns took the first game of a Big 12 series at the Iowa State Cyclones by the 8-4 score. The Longhorns were down by two runs before coming back and used a six-run sixth inning to secure the victory.
Lexy Bennett went 4-for-5 with a double, tying the most hits she has recorded in a game. Karina Scott went 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Longhorns (24-2, 3-0).
In the Longhorns' first, Taylor Hoagland reached on a leadoff walk and stole second. Brejae Washington then hit a ground ball to third and after she was retired at first, Erica Miller fired a strike over to third to retire Hoagland, who tried to advance, on the 5-3-6 double play.
Texas, who stranded 11 runners in the game, loaded the bases in the fourth, but Tori Torrescano got the Cyclones (9-16, 0-1) through without a scratch by getting Hoagland to ground into a fielder's choice with Taylor out at home on the force and having Washington ground into the third out.
Iowa State took advantage as Miller blasted a two-run homer off Blaire Luna to right center in the fourth for the 2-0 Cyclones lead. Taylor tied the game in the fifth with her second homer on the year.
With one out in the sixth, Scott hit a 2-0 pitch by Torrescano over the fence in left. Bennett then hit an RBI double to plate Hoagland for the third run of the inning. With the bases loaded and two away, Taylor hit a two-run single to left center and was followed by Torie Schmidt's bunt in front of home plate that allowed Courtney Craig to score from third. Scott capped the scoring with a single up the middle.
In the bottom of the seventh and two outs, ISU made it interesting after pinch-hitter Anna Cole hit a two-run, bases-loaded double, but Luna struck out Amber Ewert to finish off the game.
The series continues tomorrow with a 2 p.m. start and the series finale on Sunday at noon. Gametracker live stats, along with a live Twitter feed (@TexasSoftball), for both games will be available on TexasSports.com.
Notes: Texas is now 3-2 on the season when the opponent scores the first run...Texas has now won 14 straight games in the all-time series against Iowa State...Nadia Taylor had four RBI in the game for the fourth time in her career (last time: vs. Missouri on April 10, 2010)...Lexy Bennett last had four hits in a game on Feb. 25, 2011, against Cal Poly...Mandy Ogle walked twice in a game for the first time in her career.
TEXAS 000-026-0---8-12-0 ISU 000-200-2---4-5-2WP - Luna (10-1) LP - Torrescano (6-10) Records: Texas (24-2, 3-0), Iowa State (9-16, 0-1)
Luna and Ogle. Torrescano, Kennewell (6) and Folks, Habben (6).
Post-Game Quotes
Head coach Connie Clark
On key to today's game: I think the thing that jumps out the most is that we applied what we have been working on over the past week and a half, which is pitch recognition and taking longer at-bats in terms of seeing more pitches. We were tremendous at that in terms of battling today. Unfortunately, we had some opportunities with runners on early, but we still had some tremendous at-bats. I felt like it was a matter of time.
On sixth inning: I thought we stayed with the process, nothing changed with the process. I think we just had a good competitive attack at the plate. I'm pleased with it. The other thing that stood out was that they really took control of the tempo. They slowed the game down and made it their own today.
Senior third baseman Nadia Taylor
On what she was looking for prior to her home run: I was actually looking for a screwball and that's what I got. My first at-bat, she came in on me and I popped up, but I just missed it. I felt like I could get my barrel through and that's what I did.
On having four RBI today: It felt good and gave me some confidence. I have been working through a lot of things lately. I try not to put too much pressure on myself because I have done it before and have been successful in conference play. I know what it takes and not trying to put expectations on myself and loving the game.
