The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UNLV
No. 25/25 Softball Preview: 2014 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic [Feb. 20-23]
02.18.2014 | Softball
The Longhorns venture to Palm Springs for a weekend tournament at the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
2014 MARY NUTTER COLLEGIATE CLASSIC
No. 25/25 Texas (6-6, 0-0 Big 12) vs. UNLV, Cal Poly, No. 3/2 Washington, Fresno State, California
Feb. 20-23, 2014
MARY NUTTER CLASSIC
The Longhorns are participating in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic for the ninth time in the last 10 years. It will be the first time since 2012 that UT will take part in this tournament. Texas is 30-11 in all-time games at the annually held tournament in Cathedral City, Calif. UT has finished above .500 in each of the previous eight outings at the Cathedral Classic and holds a 10-7 mark against nationally ranked opponents in the Classic.
TEXAS CLASSIC RECAP
After dropping games to No. 7/9 Kentucky and to IPFW on the opening day of the Texas Classic, the Longhorns rebounded by taking victories from Louisiana Tech and IPFW the next day, earning them a rematch against Kentucky in the championship game. UT rallied back from a 5-1 Kentucky lead to knot the score, but the Wildcats capitalized on a fielder's choice and a UT error in the top of the seventh to win the game and the Texas Classic title. The Longhorns took second place in the tournament.
DAVIS DAZZLES IN THE CIRCLE
Freshman Tiarra Davis made three appearances, including two starts during the Texas Classic. She tossed two complete games, but was dubbed with the loss in both contests (Fri. vs. IPFW and Sun. vs. Kentucky). She struck out a season-high 10 hitters against IPFW and picked up the first save of her career in UT's win over Louisiana Tech. Earning the starting nod against Kentucky in the tournament championship, she contiinued her consistency, as she struck out eight hitters and was charged with only four of the six runs. Through the three games, Davis struck out 23 batters in 17.1 innings of work and racked up an ERA of 2.02.
TOO EARLY TO COMPARE?
Davis is UT's first lefthanded pitcher in the circle since three-time National Player of the Year Cat Osterman (2002-06). Through her first 12 games, Davis' cumulative ERA of 3.12 in eight appearances is identical to Osterman's after her first 12 games on the Forty Acres back in 2002. Here's a look at how Davis compares to Osterman through 12 games.
Tiarra Davis (2014) vs. Cat Osterman (2002)
(Through first 12 games at Texas)
Davis Osterman
App. 8 8
ERA 3.12 3.12
Record: 1-3 5-3
CG: 2 3
IP 24.2 40.1
SO 30 65
SO/7.0 IP: 8.7 11.3
WONG 'WOWS' IN TEXAS CLASSIC: Playing in only her second weekend of collegiate competition, freshman Stephanie Wong was a bright spot in UT's lineup during the Texas Classic. Wong went 7-for-11 to hit .636, while slugging .727 and having a .615 on base percentage during the weekend. She. She also scored three runs and drove in three RBIs. In her last three games, she is 6-for-7 with a walk and two stolen bases.
STATS OF NOTE
- EVERY RUN COUNTS: The Horns are 6-0 when scoring six or more runs in a game and are 0-6 when they have scored five runs or less.
- PERFECT DEFENSE: Sophomore second baseman Stephanie Ceo owns a 1.000 fielding percentage through 50 chances within the first 12 games.
- SWIPING INTO THE TOP 10: Senior shortstop Taylor Thom stole three bases against IPFW in last Saturday's Texas Classic semifinal. She now has 50 stolen bases in her career, putting her in ninth place all-time in the Texas Softball record book.
- GETS BETTER AS WE GO: UT and its opponents have combined to score 29 runs apiece through the first three innings. As the game goes on, Texas has outscored its opponents 38-19 over the final four-plus innings.
THE MATCHUPS
#25/25 Texas VS. UNLV
- Texas and UNLV will meet for the ninth time. All eight prior head-to-head contests have taken place at neutral sites.
- UT is 2-0 against the Rebels when the teams have squared off at the Cathedral Classic.
- The Longhorns hold the advantage in the all-time series with a 5-3 mark. UT has won the last four times.
- The series dates back to a 6-2 loss to the Rebels back on Feb. 13, 1999.
#25/25 Texas VS. Cal Poly
- UT and Cal Poly will go head-to-head for only the second time.
- Texas won the first meeting by a count of 9-0 on Feb. 25, 2011 at the Cathedral Classic.
#25/25 Texas vs. #3/2 Washington
- Friday's meeting will mark the 21st meeting between the Longhorns and Huskies. Washington holds the edge with a 13-7 mark
- Texas has won the last two head-to-head matchups, including last season's 4-1 win in Fullerton at the Judi Garman Classic.
- UT and UW are meeting for the second time at the Cathedral Classic. The Horns defeated the Huskies, 4-0, on Feb. 23, 2007.
- The Huskies and Longhorns first met on March 21, 1997 in Fullerton. Washington claimed an 8-0 win in five innings.
- UT and UW will also meet at the Judi Garman Classic on March 8.
#25/25 Texas vs. Fresno State
- UT holds a 6-5 lead in the all-time 11-game series with Fresno State.
- The two will battle one another for the fourth time at the Cathedral Classic. UT is 1-2 in those games.
- The Longhorns won the last meeting between the two teams by a final of 9-2 at the Judi Garman Classic on March 18, 2011.
- The series began with a Fresno State, 6-1, victory on March 20, 1997 in Fulleton.
#25/25 Texas vs. California
- Sunday's matchup will mark the eighth time that UT and Cal have clashed. The Golden Bears own a narrow 4-3 edge in the all-time series.
- Cal has won four straight meetings since the Longhorns opened the head-to-head series with three-straight victories.
- The two are meeting at the Cathedral Classic for the second time (last- Feb. 25, 2005; Cal defeated UT, 1-0).
- Texas won the first meeting between the schools on Feb. 13, 1999 by a count of 6-3.
Texas Versus Ranked Opponents
So far this season, UT has posted a 3-2 record over ranked opponents. During the team's opening weekend, they took down No. 17/19 LSU and No. 13/15 Louisiana Lafayette twice. A week later at the Texas Classic, the Longhorns were dealt a pair of losses from No. 7/9 Kentucky. Since UT's varsity program began in 1997, Texas has played 351 games against teams ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll. In those contests, UT is 175-175-1, including a 38-24 mark since the current seniors arrived on campus for the 2011 season.
