The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
Softball Preview: at Iowa State [April 11-12, 2014]
04.10.2014 | Softball
The Longhorns put their undefeated road record on the line when they visit Ames for a three-game Big 12 series against Iowa State.
**UPDATED SERIES SCHEDULE** - Due to rain in Saturday and Sunday's forecast, Texas and Iowa State will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m. and will play the final game of the three-game set on Saturday at a time yet to be determined. No game will be played on Sunday.
Complete Game Notes | Live Video
TEXAS (23-16, 3-1) at IOWA STATE (18-18, 1-5)
Big 12 Conference play
April 11-12, 2014
Cyclone Sports Complex – Ames, Iowa
ALMOST PERFECT VS. IOWA STATE
The Longhorns own a 39-1 all-time record against Iowa State since the head-to-head series began in 1997. UT's only blemish came in a April 24, 2005 1-0 loss in Austin, which snapped a 20-game win streak against the Cyclones. Since then, Texas has reeled off 19-straight victories over Iowa State. UT has never lost a game in Ames, Iowa, owning a 15-0 mark.
ROAD SUCCESS
Texas is tied for the best record in the nation in true road games with a 6-0 mark. The Longhorns are one of only two teams to be undefeated through at least six true road contests (Louisiana Lafayette is also 6-0). Four of UT's six road wins have been against nationally ranked opponents.
WATCHING WASHINGTON
On Wednesday, senior center fielder Brejae Washington was named a Top 25 finalist for the 2014 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The award is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women's collegiate softball and is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Prior to the start of postseason play, on May 7 the list will be narrowed to the Top 10 Finalists.
ACCOLADES FOR THOM
Senior shortstop Taylor Thom was tabbed the Big 12 Player of the Week for her performance during last week's games against Texas State and Texas Tech. Thom helped the Longhorns go 3-1 on the week by hitting an impressive .727 over the four-game stretch, going 8-for-11 at the dish with seven runs scored. She hit three home runs, including her fifth career grand slam in last Wednesday's game against Texas State, and produced nine RBIs. She is the second Longhorn to be honored by the league this season, joining sophomore Lindsey Stephens (March 4).
TUNNING'S BAT TUNES UP
Since starting her Texas career with a .197 batting average through the first 34 games, freshman Devon Tunning is showing signs of becoming the hitter the Texas' coaches foresaw. Over the last six games, Tunning leads the team with an .533 batting average (8-for-15), which is tied with Brejae Washington for the second-most hits during that span. Tunning has two home runs over the stretch, including her first career long ball last week against Texas State, which came in a season-best 3-for-3 night.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Texas' .348 batting average is the third-highest in the nation. Senior Brejae Washington is ranked sixth in the nation in sacrifice flies (4), ninth in batting average (.474), 12th in on base percentage (.552) while sophomore Lindsey Stephens is ranked eighth in the country in triples (4).
SETTING THE TONE
Since being etched in as Texas' 1-2-3 hitters on the lineup card against Cal Poly on Feb. 20, Taylor Thom, Brejae Washington and Lindsey Stephens are hitting a combined .458 (110-for-240) and have provided 63 of the team's 143 RBIs and scored 76 of the team's 163 runs during that span.
GETTING ON
Sophomore Lindsey Stephens holds the program's second-longest streak of games reaching base, which currently stands at 40-consecutive games dating back to the final game of last season. Senior Brejae Washington also carries a streak of reaching base in 30-straight games, which is the third-longest in school history.
SLUGGING STEPHENS
Stephens is currently ranked in nine offensive categories in the Big 12 this season, including first in triples (4) and RBIs (48).
ACE OF THE STAFF
After graduates Blaire Luna and Kim Bruins departed from the program last year, it was unclear who UT's go-to pitcher would be in the 2014 season. Freshman Tiarra Davis, who is the first lefthanded pitcher at Texas since three-time National Player of the Year Cat Osterman, has emerged as the ace for the Longhorns. Davis is 11-7 with a 2.37 ERA through 27 appearances. Already, she has 13 complete games and has tossed three one-hitters, including her first shutout on March 17 against Iowa. Opposing teams are hitting just .181 against the southpaw, which is the second-lowest in the Big 12.
MILESTONE WATCH
Upcoming Career Milestones
- 3 hits away from moving into a tie for 3rd place all-time for most hits at Texas. (currently has 236) Needs 10 to break the program record.
- 1 stolen bases away from sole possession of 3rd place all-time in stolen bases (currently has 62)
- 1 hit away from T-4th all-time in hits (currently has 226)
Upcoming Season Milestones
- 2 RBI from tying for 3rd, 9 from tying for 2nd and 18 from tying for 1st for RBIs in a single season (Currently has 48)
- Currently has four triples, which is tied for 7th in a single season at Texas. (Washington is 1st all-time. She had 7 in 2013)
NEXT UP FOR UT
The Longhorns will continue Big 12 play when they open up a three-game series in Norman, Oklahoma on Thursday, April 17 against defending National Champion Oklahoma at 8:00 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
