The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Louisville
Luna throws another shutout as No. 5/8 Softball tops No. 15/16 Louisville 2-0
03.01.2013 | Softball
March 1, 2013
Box score 
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- A two-out single up the middle in the bottom of the third inning from junior Mandy Ogle plated classmate Taylor Thom for the game-winning run and lifted No. 5/8 Texas to a 2-0 victory over No. 15/16 Louisville in the Longhorns' first game at the Citrus Classic on Friday morning. In the circle, senior Blaire Luna extended her string of consecutive shutout innings to 36.1 as she fanned 13.
Luna has not allowed a run in her last six appearances as she improved to 8-0 this season. She did not surrender a hit until there were two outs in the seventh inning and issued six walks during the contest. Luna struck out five consecutive hitters in the fourth and fifth frames and recorded seven-straight outs via the whiff in the third through fifth. Caralisa Connell (8-2) took the loss for Louisville, throwing all six innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits and four walks. She fanned seven.
The Longhorns (17-1) threatened to take an early lead in the bottom of the first, but could not push a run across. Senior Taylor Hoagland led off with a walk, but was forced out at second on a one-out fielder's choice. With two down, senior Kim Bruins drew a walk, but a groundout ended the frame.
Louisville (12-3) put together its first scoring opportunity in the top of the third as Katie Keller and Alicja Wolny drew consecutive two-out walks. Luna bounced back to strike out Kayla Soles swinging for the second time and keep the Cardinals off the board.
UT cashed in on a two-out rally in the bottom of the third to take a 1-0 lead. After a pair of groundouts started the frame, Thom and Bruins hit consecutive singles. Ogle followed with a bouncer up the middle the shortstop fielded and threw to first, but Ogle beat the toss and Thom came around to score on the play. A strikeout kept it a one-run game.
Louisville wasted little time trying to respond. Maggie Ruckenbrod led off the fourth with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Katelyn Mann. Tanner Fowler followed with a bunt that Hoagland fielded at third base and tried to throw to second for the out. Hoagland's throw pulled shortstop Thom off the bag and both runners were safe. Luna responded striking out the next three to leave the pair stranded.
In the bottom of the fifth, Texas made it a 2-0 edge. Hoagland led off with a double and Thom drew a one-out walk. Hoagland was picked off second base, but Thom moved to second during the rundown. Bruins hit a ground ball to the shortstop, who could not make the play and Thom scored as the ball rolled toward left field. A walk to Ogle and single from senior Torie Schmidt loaded the bases, but a strikeout ended the frame.
Luna worked around a two-out fielding error in the sixth to strand a runner. In the seventh, after a groundout and fly out, Keller recorded the only hit with a double over Schimdt in left field. Wolny was hit by a pitch, but Luna struck out Soles to end the contest.
Texas continues Friday action at the Citrus Classic with a 12:15 p.m. CT contest against Hofstra. The game will be live streamed on ESPN3.
Postgame notes
- Senior Taylor Hoagland led off the bottom of the first with a walk. She has a Big 12-high 20 free passes this year and has drawn at least one walk in six-straight games.
- Hoagland has reached base safely in all 18 games this season.
- Senior Blaire Luna struck out 13 in the contest, raising her total to 29 in her last 15 innings pitched.
- Luna tossed her 41st career complete-game shutout.
- Junior Taylor Thom has scored a run in five of her last six games.
