Stephens homers in Softball’s 3-1 loss to No. 5/7 Michigan

Saturday, March 8

Fullerton, Calif.

12 p.m.

University of Texas

14-11

Michigan

16-6

Texas

Michigan

Stephens homers in Softball’s 3-1 loss to No. 5/7 Michigan

03.08.2014 | Softball

Box Score

Sophomore power hitter tied the game with the long ball before Michigan added a pair of runs in the sixth.

Box Score (PDF) | Twitter | Coach Clark Presentation (VIDEO)

FULLERTON, Calif. – Sophomore Lindsey Stephens hit her ninth home run of the season to tie No. 5/7 Michigan at one apiece in the top of the sixth inning, but the Wolverines got a two-run base hit up the middle in the home half of the frame from Lyndsay Doyle to down Texas, 3-1, in day three of the Judi Garman Classic. The Longhorns fell to 14-11 on the season before playing tonight's contest against No. 6/6 Washington at 8:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. CT.

Freshman LHP Tiarra Davis pitched for the third straight day and collected her seventh complete game of the season, while dropping to 4-6 on the year from the circle. Davis set the Wolverines down in order in the first inning and then got some help from her defense to get out of a bases loaded with no outs situation in the bottom of the second inning.

The Wolverines put up the game's first run when sophomore first baseman Holly Kern attempted to catch the lead runner heading to third, but overthrew freshman third baseman Devon Tunning, allowing Doyle to score.

After Michigan ace Haylie Wagner retired seniors Taylor Thom and Brejae Washington in the sixth, Stephens blasted a solo shot to knot things up. The home run for Stephens extended her hitting streak to 16-straight games, which ties her with Desiree Williams (2006) and Lindsay Gardner (2000) for the third-longest streak in program history. The Longhorn power hitter also continued her streak of reaching base, now at 26 games going back to last season. She is now all alone in third place for the longest streak of reaching base on the all-time charts at Texas.

Down two runs in the top of the seventh, UT had Davis and freshman Stephanie Wong on second and first, respectively, but a strikeout by senior Mandy Ogle and a groundout by freshman Kelli Hanzel would end the Longhorns' attempt at a comeback rally.

Wagner improved to 11-0 this season from the circle, helping Michigan boost its mark to 16-6 in 2014.

Prior to the contest, Texas head coach Connie Clark was honored by her alma mater for her accomplishments as a pitcher at Cal State Fullerton from 1986-1987. Her former coach Judi Garman was in attendance and presented her with a ball before lineups were announced. Click the link above to see a video of the pregame ceremony.

Texas (14-11) will have a quick turnaround before its next contest, as it takes on No. 6/6 Washington this evening at the Judi Garman Classic. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. CT.

The Longhorns will be looking to avenge a 3-2 loss from the Huskies back on Feb. 21 at last month's Mary Nutter Classic.

POSTGAME NOTES

-Texas is now 2-9 against Michigan in the head-to-head series with the Wolverines

-Freshman Tiarra Davis has tossed seven complete games on the season, including one in each of her last four starts.

-Lindsey Stephens hit her ninth home run of the season. She now has 10 in her career.

-Stephens extended her hitting streak to 16-straight games (Tied for third-longest in program history).

-Stephens has reached base in each of her last 26 games (Third-longest streak in program history).