The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
22-16, 2-1
Texas Tech
28-13, 1-4
Texas Tech defeats Softball, 6-5, to even series
04.05.2014 | Softball
Thom continues hot streak going 3-for-4 with three runs
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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Softball (22-16, 2-1) fell to the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 6-5, in its annual Pink at Plate game on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd at Red & Charline McCombs Field. The Red Raiders (28-13, 1-4) tied the weekend series at one apiece after Texas won Friday's opener, 5-1.
Senior Taylor Thom led the Longhorns' offense, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Thom is hitting .778 (7-9) over her last three games, posting three home runs, nine RBIs, nine runs scored and seven hits.
Texas Tech pitcher Cara Custer picked up the win to advance her record to 11-5 on the year. Texas junior pitcher Gabby Smith took the loss, falling to 10-4 during the 2014 campaign. Smith relieved freshman Tiarra Davis, who started and gave up four earned runs over two-and-one-third innings.
The Longhorns battled back twice in the contest, but were unable to complete the comeback in the final innings.
Texas Tech jumped out to the 1-0 lead in the first inning when Cassie McClure singled to right field to score Sydnie Tapia.
UT struck back in the first to take its only lead at 2-1. The first four Longhorns reached base behind three singles and a walk. After senior Brejae Washington was caught attempting to steal third base, Thom beat out the throw for an infield single to put runners on the corners. A passed ball allowed sophomore Lindsey Stephens to score and tie the game at one. Freshman Stephanie Wong followed with an infield hit of her own to the pitcher. The errant throw from the pitcher to the first baseman allowed Wong to advance to second and Thom to score, giving the Horns the one-run lead.
After a scoreless second inning, Texas Tech hung a three-spot in the top of the third. The first two Red Raiders reached on a single and hit by a pitch, respectively. A ground out to third base allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Both runners scored on the ensuing two-run single down right field line by Kierra Miles. Smith relieved Davis and allowed a bases-loaded walk, allowing Brittany Lee to score Texas Tech's fourth run.
Texas responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Stephens and Thom led off with a walk and single, respectively. After Wong advanced the runners, a throwing error on the third baseman allowed Stephens to score, advancing Thom to third. Sophomore Holly Kern then blooped a single into center to plate Thom and knot the score, 4-4, after three innings.
In the top of the fifth inning, Samantha Camello led off with her first home run of the season over the left field fence, sending in freshman Lauren Slatten to relieve Smith. Texas Tech pushed across another run on a fielding error, pushing the score to 6-4.
The Longhorns produced multiple threats in the sixth and seventh innings, but failed to manufacture a timely hit, leaving five runners on base over the final two frames.
In the final inning, Texas loaded the bases with two outs. Freshman Devon Tunning drew a walk, allowing Thom to score her third run of the game and cut the deficit to just one run at 6-5. Sophomore Stephanie Ceo was retired for the final out, hitting a hard liner directly at the first baseman to end the game.
Texas and Texas Tech play the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday afternoon at Noon CT. The game will be televised nationally on Longhorn Network. Fans are encouraged to get to the ballpark early to be one of the first 300 fans to receive the first of three 2014 Texas Softball Trading Card sets.
POSTGAME NOTES
Team Notes
- Texas falls to 32-7 in the all-time series against Texas Tech.
- The loss ends a nine-game winning streak against the Red Raiders at McCombs Field.
- The conference foes will square off in the rubber match of the three-game series Sunday at 12 p.m. CT.
- Eight different Longhorns contributed to the 10-hit output, with Thom leading the way with three hits.
- Notched 10 or more hits in 19 of 38 games this season.
- Went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, boosting her career total to 159, which is fourth best in program history.
- Hitting 8-for-11 over last four games with nine RBIs, nine runs, and three walks.
- Drew three walks, matching a team-high for walks in a game this season (Mandy Ogle vs. ULL on 2/7).
- Extended her reached-base streak to 39 games, including all 38 contests this season.
- Extended reached-base streak to 29 games with a first-inning single.
- Washington's 235 career hits are just 10 hits away from tying Lexy Bennett (2009-12) for most hits in program history (245).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Custer, C. (11-5)
L: Smith, Gabby (10-4)
Batting:
HR: Camello, S. 1
RBI: McClure, C. 1 ; Miles, K. 2 ; Camello, S. 1 ; Lee, B. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tapia, S. 2 ; Hopson, L. 1 ; Miles, K. 1 ; Camello, S. 1 ; Washington 1
SB: Washington 1
HBP: Hopson, L. 1
Batting:
RBI: Kern, Holly 1 ; Tunning, Devon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Stephens, Lindsey 2 ; Thom, Taylor 3
SB: Washington, Brejae 1 ; Thom, Taylor 1
CS: Washington, Brejae 1
HBP: Ogle, Mandy 1
