The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma State
Softball Preview: vs. Oklahoma State [April 25-27, 2014]
04.24.2014 | Softball
The Longhorns return to Austin to host Oklahoma State in a three-game Big 12 series this weekend.
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TEXAS (28-18, 7-3) vs. Oklahoma State (24-21, 4-9)
Big 12 Conference play
April 25-27, 2014
Red & Charline McCombs Field
GAMEDAY QUICK FACTS
• TELEVISION: All three games will be televised nationally on Longhorn Network. Carter Blackburn (pxp) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) will have the call on Friday and Saturday. Blackburn will be joined by Cat Osterman (analyst) for Sunday's game.
• RADIO: Terry Lewis will call the action for the internet radio broadcast on www.TexasSports.com
HOSTING THE COWGIRLS
Texas returns to Red & Charline McCombs Field this weekend and opens a three-game Big 12 series with Oklahoma State. The Longhorns wrapped up a 7-game road swing, going 5-2, since the last time it played it front of the burnt orange faithful. UT holds a 25-13 advantage in the 38-game head-to-head series with the Cowgirls. OSU won back-to-back one-run games to open last year's series in Stillwater before the Longhorns salvaged a 7-2 win in the series finale on May 5, 2013 to avoid the sweep.
11-RUN INNING AT TEXAS STATE
On Wednesday night, Texas Softball trailed Texas State, 6-4, heading into the top of the sixth inning before it broke out for 11 runs, the third-most in a single inning in school history, to mount a 15-6 come-from-behind victory over the Bobcats. The Longhorns swept the home-and-home season series over its I-35 rivals, run-ruling them in both meetings and outscoring them, 34-13. It was the fourth time UT reached double figures in its run total in the last 11 games and the fifth time it run-ruled an opponent during that span.
BATS ON FIRE
Over the last 11 games, the Longhorns' offense has been potent. During the span, they have produced 99 runs on 113 hits. The team is hitting .382 and has tallied 15 or more runs in a game four times (19 vs. Texas State (April 2), 19 vs. Iowa State, 17 vs. Iowa State and 15 at Texas State (April 23)). Prior to this season, UT had only two games in program history in which it tallied at least 17 runs.
WINNING ON THE RUN RULE
Eleven of Texas' 28 victories have come courtesy of the eight-run mercy rule after five innings this season. The 11 run rule wins for the 2014 squad is tied for third-most in a season in school history, matching the 2010 and 2012 teams. Texas claimed wins early in 13 contests last season and had a school record 14 run rule wins in 2011.
DUO SEES 400
In its 18-year history, Texas has had five seasons in which a player finished the year batting .400 or higher. Currently, the Longhorns have two players hitting over .400 (Brejae Washington- .446 and Lindsey Stephens - .411. UT has never had two players bat .400 or higher in the same season.
WASHINGTON CLOSING IN ON HITS RECORD
With 243 career hits under her belt, senior Brejae Washington is two away from tying Lexy Bennett for the most in Texas Softball history. Three more will give her sole possession of the school's all-time record.
THOM'S TORRID TREND
Over the last 11 games, Thom has raised her cumulative batting average by 39 points. The fourth-year shortstop is hitting .552 (16-for-28) with six home runs, 19 runs scored and 18 RBIs during that stretch.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Coming into the week, Texas' .351 batting average was ranked the fourth-highest in the nation, behind Michigan (.356), Notre Dame (.355) and Arizona (.354). As a team, the Longhorns are hitting 0.46 triples per game, which leads the nation. Senior Brejae Washington is ranked eighth in the nation in sacrifice flies (5), 15th in batting average (.448) and 20th in on base percentage (.530), while Lindsey Stephens is ranked 10th in the land in RBIs per game (1.22).
A LOOK AT THE RPI
In the latest Rating Percentage Index (RPI) release, Texas is ranked No. 26 in the country. The RPI is a quantity used to rank teams based upon a team's wins and losses and its strength of schedule and is a key factor in determining postseason at-large berths.
ZERO-WASTE WEEKEND
The Texas Longhorns are going green in honor of Earth Day (April 22). Texas Softball hosts a "zero-waste weekend" when it hosts Oklahoma State this weekend. In an effort to bring awareness to sustainable practices, the Longhorns challenge fans to recycle or compost the waste they generate during the game instead of sending it to the landfill. With a limited amount of trash cans, fans in attendance will have the option to place their waste in either a green compost or a blue recycling bin positioned around McCombs Field. The bins will be clearly labeled and volunteers will be available to clarify and help educate fans on the process. UT Athletics defines zero-waste as diversion of 90 percent or more waste into recycling and composting.
STRIVING FOR 500 POUNDS OF CANNED FOOD
Fans attending Saturday's 4:00 p.m. game against Oklahoma State are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to the game in an effort to help Texas Softball reach its goal of collecting 500 pounds of non-perishable food items for the central Texas community. Every five pounds of food donated can provide the equivalent of four meals for central Texans in need! Donations can be made inside the McCombs Field concourse along the first base side beginning at 3 p.m. Fans who donate will receive a coupon for a FREE Whataburger while supplies last. Every can counts towards reaching the goal of 500 pounds! UT Athletics canned food drives are part of the Horns for Hope initiative for community enrichment.
Through 10 In Big 12 Play
The Longhorns are 7-3 in league play. A closer look at UT's 11, 12 and 13-game league records the last five years:
11-Game 12-Game 13-Game
Year Record Record Record
2013 9-2 10-2 11-2
2012 8-3 9-3 9-4
2011 11-0 12-0 12-1
2010 10-1 10-2 11-2
2009 7-4 8-4 9-4
STATS OF NOTE:
- Texas is 21-0 when scoring six or more runs and is 20-0 when holding opponents to two runs or less.
- Brejae Washington started the season with six runs through the first eight games. Since then, she has had 37 runs over the last 38 games.
- Washington is one triple away from tying for the most among active NCAA career leaders.
- Taylor Thom - After one triple in her first three years, she has four this season alone.
- All three of Mandy Ogle's game-winning RBIs have come in the fourth inning or later.
- Texas' .353 team batting average is currently the highest in program history.
- The Horns have 20 triples on the season, which is the most in a single season in school history. UT has .43 triples per game, which is the most in the NCAA.
- When hitting a triple: 13-1
- When hitting 2+ doubles: 13-0
- When Texas gets 10+ hits: 20-5
- When Texas allows 10+ hits: 2-4
EXTRA-BASE HITS: Texas is averaging 2.6 extra-base hits per game.
When Hitting_________ Record
0-1___________________ 2-12
2-3__________________ 15-6
4+___________________ 11-0
SCORING IN BUNCHES
- From April 2 to April 23, the Longhorns' potent offense produced 99 runs (9 per game) on 113 hits during a seven-game span.
- During that stretch, the team tallied 15 or more runs in a game four times. Prior to this season, UT had only two games in program history in which it tallied at least 17. So far in 2014, it has three.
- Against Texas State (April 2), the Horns scored 19, which marked the second-most in school history. UT used 15 hits, including a season-high four home runs, to put up its largest run total since Feb. 9, 2012 when it tallied 23 in its 2012 season opener against Cal State Fullerton.
- The 26 runs (19-7) between Texas and Texas State on April 2 was the most combined runs in a game in which the Longhorns were involved in.
- Five games later in the series opener at Iowa State (April 11), Texas matched its season-high run total with 19 .
- Texas continued its barrage the next day in the series finale against Iowa State by putting up 17 runs, highlighted by a 9-run fourth inning.
- Trailing 6-4 heading into the top of the sixth inning at Texas State on April 23, the Longhorns sent 16 batters to the plate and tacked on 11 runs in the frame, marking the third-most runs in a single inning in school history. The rally ignited Texas to a 15-6 comeback win over the Bobcats.
Texas' last 11 games
Runs_______________ 99
Hits_______________ 113
Walks______________ 45
Extra-base hits_______ 39
RBIs_______________ 86
Batting Avg.________ .382
Slugging %_________ .649
On base %_________ .478
