The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
26-17, 0
Oklahoma
33-9, 0
Softball drops series opener to No. 16/12 Oklahoma, 4-1
04.18.2014 | Softball
Ogle hits seventh home run of the season; Davis tosses 16th complete game.
NORMAN, Okla. – Senior catcher Mandy Ogle blasted a solo home run in the top of the third inning, but it was all the offense Texas Softball would gather off No. 16/12 Oklahoma in its 4-1 loss to the Sooners on Thursday night at Marita Hynes Stadium. The Longhorns fell to 26-17 overall and to 6-2 in Big 12 Conference play, while the Sooners improved to 33-9 on the year and 10-1 in league play.
Freshman LHP Tiarra Davis, who was named a Top 25 finalist for the NFCA National Freshman of the Year award prior to the contest, suffered her first loss in Big 12 play (5-1), dropping her overall record to 13-8. Davis threw her 16th complete game and struck out five or more batters in a game for the 13th time this season.
With the Longhorns leading by a run after Ogle's seventh home run of the season and third during Big 12 play, OU got a rally going when the top of its order got to bat for the second time around. With two outs in the bottom of the third, Georgia Casey and Kady Self swatted back-to-back singles before Shelby Pendley was walked to load the bases. Brittany Williams came up and pounded out an RBI single to knot the game at one apiece.
Looking to go back on top, sophomore Lindsey Stephens led off the fourth inning with a base hit to left field, extending her reached base streak to 44 consecutive games. Stephens would be left stranded, as Stevens set Texas' next three hitters down to retire the side. The OU hurler would go on to set down UT's final nine hitters.
The difference in the game came in OU's half of the fifth inning when Casey hit a two-run home run with Jessica Vest on base. Brittany Williams would later push the Sooners' lead to 4-1 with her solo blast.
OU starter Kelsey Stevens picked up the win in the circle, as she went all seven innings for the Sooners and limited Texas to three hits, matching its season low for hits in a game.
Texas and No. 16/12 Oklahoma will resume the weekend series on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on FOX Sports Oklahoma and FOX College Sports.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Texas is now 23-27 all-time against Oklahoma. The Sooners have won the last three meetings in the head-to-head series.
- The loss marks Texas' first setback in a true road game this season, dropping its record to 9-1.
- Went 0-for-3 on the night. Her reached base streak snapped at 33 straight games (third-longest in school history).
- Hit her seventh home run of the season (career high) and third in Big 12 play this season. She now has 15 home runs in her Texas career.
- Went 1-for-3 on the night. Has 14 hits over the last 9 games (batting .636).
- Started for the 12th straight game
- Tossed her 16th complete game of the season.
- Struck out at least five batters in a game for the 13th time this season.
- Took first Big 12 loss (Now 5-1)
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Stevens, K. (24-6)
L: Davis, Tiarra (13-8)
Batting:
HR: Ogle, Mandy 1
RBI: Ogle, Mandy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ogle, Mandy 1
CS: Thom, Taylor 1
Batting:
HR: Casey, G. 1 ; Williams, B. 1
RBI: Casey, G. 2 ; Williams, B. 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Casey, G. 2 ; Williams, B. 1 ; Vest, J. 1
