The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Wichita State
Softball sweeps Saturday action with a 10-4 win over Wichita State
02.14.2015 | Softball
Junior first baseman Holly Kern now has 12 RBIs over four Texas Classic match-ups
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas completed a sweep of its Saturday action at the Texas Classic by banging out a season-high-tying 11 hits in rolling past Wichita State at Red & Charline McCombs Field, 10-4.
Junior first baseman Holly Kern continued her remarkable weekend's efforts, going 2-for-4 at the dish with a double and four RBIs. The Plano, Texas, native has been leading the charge for the Longhorns during the event, batting .417 with three doubles and a staggering 12 RBIs.
Junior catcher Erin Shireman (1-for-4, two RBIs) blasted her third HR of the campaign, a two-run shot in the third inning, while sophomore second baseman Kelli Hanzel went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning (2-for-2, run) and senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon (2-for-3, run) each registered a pair of hits. Senior Gabby Smith crushed a three-run shot as a pinch hitter during a four-run sixth inning outburst.
UT sophomore pitcher Tiarra Davis fired a complete game in improving to 2-1 in 2015. The Henderson, Texas, product allowed one earned run while scattering seven hits, issuing a walk and striking out five.
The Longhorns offense quickly manufactured a run during the bottom of the first as a Tunning lead-off walk, a Jenni Brooks illegal pitch and a WSU fielding error staked the Horns to an early 1-0 lead.
The offensive fireworks exploded in the third as both teams put crooked letters up on the scoreboard. After a two-run blast from Wichita State right fielder Cacy Williams in the top half staked the Shockers to a 2-0 lead, Texas exploded for four tallies on three hits and a walk during the bottom half.
After junior third baseman Stephanie Ceo's lead-off walk christened the outburst for the Longhorns, she was advanced into scoring position on a perfect Tunning sacrifice bunt. Sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong followed with a slow roller to short that she beat out for a single. On the play, the WSU throw to first proved high for an error as Texas soon boasted a pair in scoring position. That set the stage for a two-run Kern double and a two-run Shireman HR as the Longhorns roared to a 5-2 advantage.
With Gabaldon stationed at first on a lead-off base knock to open the fourth, Hanzel drove a run-scoring double into the right center field gap as UT's lead expanded to six runs.
Wichita State managed to cut its deficit to 6-3 in the top of the sixth as a Texas fielding miscue starting the frame was cashed in on a long double to center from clean-up batter Macklin Hitz. With runners at the corners following an infield single, Davis managed a big strikeout of pinch hitter Erin Carney to leave the Shocker duo stranded.
Pinch-hitter Smith provided Texas with some major breathing room in the sixth as her three-run pinch hit HR to right center boosted UT's lead to 9-3. Later in the inning, Kern added a RBI single, giving her a ridiculous 12 RBIs over UT's four games in the Texas Classic and boosted the advantage to seven.
Much as on Friday night, Wichita State demonstrated the ability to rally late as the Shockers used a leadoff double, a hit batter and a hit by pitch to load the bases with none retired. WSU added a run on the board via a two-out sacrifice fly, cutting its deficit to 10-4. That was as close as they would get, however, as a grounder back to the circle was handled by Davis and tossed home to force the lead runner and secure the triumph.
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Connie Clark
On the performance by Holly Kern:
"She's been like our RBI machine. Anytime somebody's on, you want to see her at the plate, and she just keeps delivering. She's seeing the ball well, having a great approach at the plate. You love it, especially when the hitters right behind Lindsey Stephens are hot, I mean, both Holly Kern and Erin Shireman have been hot. So it's nice to see those two put the pressure on the other pitchers."
On the pitching performance by the team:
"I think we found a way to win both games, and that's the most important part. I think that's part of it. It's not always going to go perfectly. It's dealing with the adversity and coming back and competing. You know, way too many free passes, I'm a little disappointed in that. We've got to shore that up. I was going to say that in practice this week, but we've got another game tomorrow, so we'll attack it tomorrow."
Junior OF/IB Holly Kern
On how does it feel to get on a batting groove and be able to keep it going:
"It feels good, I'm seeing the ball. The girls in front of me are getting on base, so that's why it's been really easy for me to get them (RBIs). Devon's (Tunning) had like four walks, (Stephanie) Wong has been nearly perfect this weekend, so it's been nice to kind of have that momentum going in."
On if the team's performance make her job easier:
"Yeah, and I think it makes our pitcher's job easier too. Just to have some runs on the board, it gives them momentum, and that lets them know that they don't have to do everything. On defense it's nice because we are relying on the pitchers, and the pitchers are relaxed, which makes our jobs a lot easier."
Team Notes
Series – Texas is now 4-2 all-time against Wichita State.
Big inning reputation – With a four spot in the third inning and three spot in the sixth, the Longhorns now have plated at least three runs in an inning nine times and in six of nine total games. In the last four games, the Longhorns have had four "big" innings.
Sharing the wealth – The Longhorns had 11 hits by seven different batters. In the last four games, 12 Longhorns have combined to record 35 hits.
Using the long ball – The Longhorns hit two home runs in the game, one apiece from Erin Shireman and a pinch-hit bomb from Gabby Smith. The Longhorns have now hit nine big flies this season.
Started at the bottom, now we score – The 7-9 spots in the Longhorns' order started two rallies that led to both of the four-run innings. The spots combined to go 5-for-8 with five runs scored, four RBIs, a home run, a double, and walk.
Winning with pitching – Four Texas pitchers have combined in the last three games to rack up 30 strikeouts, while holding opposing batters to a .174 average
Player Notes
Devon Tunning – The sophomore worked a lead-off walk, which is her 12th of the season (16 all of last season). The shortstop now has reached base safely in all nine games this season. She also leads the team in batting average (.667), runs scored (four), slugging percentage (.833), on-base percentage (.833), and walks (six) in the Texas Classic.
Holly Kern - The junior first sacker continues to swing a hot bat by adding four RBIs. Two came on a go-ahead double in the third inning that put the Longhorns ahead 3-2. In the Texas Classic, Kern has recorded 12 RBIs, three doubles and three runs scored. She now has 50 hits in her career.
Erin Shireman – The junior catcher blasted a two-run bomb in the third for her third home run of the year, tying her previous high in a season. Shireman now has eight RBIs on the young season. She is one hit shy of 50 in her career.
Gabby Smith – The senior hit a pinch-hit three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. It was Smith's first home run of the season and third of her career.
Kelli Hanzel – The second baseman went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI. In the Texas Classic, the sophomore is hitting .500 with two runs scored, a double and an RBI.
