The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
13-7
Texas Southern
3-9
No. 25 Softball shuts out Texas Southern, 4-0
03.01.2015 | Softball
Senior hurler Gabby Smith tosses a two-hit shutout with four K’s.
AUSTIN, Texas – Freshman catcher Randel Leahy knocked in a career-high three runs and senior Gabby Smith tossed a two-hit shutout as No. 25 Texas (13-7) capped an unbeaten Sunday at the Texas Invitational with a 4-0 blanking of Texas Southern.
Smith was in firm control from the circle throughout, allowing just the two base knocks, walking two and striking out four in her first complete game effort of 2015.
Leahy led the UT charge offensively by going 2-for-3 with her third career double and three RBIs, sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel was 2-for-3 with a run scored and junior third baseman Erin Shireman knocked in a run via sacrifice fly.
After Texas Southern left a pair stranded in the top of the second, the Longhorns jumped in front on the scoreboard in the bottom half. Hanzel started off the rally with a one-out single to right and advanced to second on an illegal pitch by Lady Tiger hurler Lauren Rodriguez. Sophomore designated player Mickenzi Kprec walked, setting the stage for Leahy who followed by lacing a RBI single just inside the third-base bag and down the line as Hanzel scored for a 1-0 advantage.
With the pitchers locked in a duel, it was Texas Southern that registered the next solid scoring opportunity in the top of the sixth as first baseman Brianna Parker ripped a two-out double to right center. Pinch runner Precious Alviso never moved from second base, however, as Smith induced a pop-up to short from catcher Chelsea Guenther as the Lady Tigers left the runner stranded.
Texas took advantage of TSU's missed chance by adding several important insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lindsey Stephens started things as her chopper back to the circle was thrown well wide of first for an error, allowing UT's center fielder time to race all the way around to third. Shireman stepped to the dish and delivered a sacrifice fly to left as Stephens crossed from 60 feet away to make it 2-0. Junior pinch hitter Holly Kern followed with a single up the middle and Krpec walked to put two aboard for Leahy. The Norco, Calif., product came through with a clutch two-run double to right center as the lead expanded to four runs.
That was plenty for Smith as she induced a pair of fly outs and posted a strikeout in the top of the seventh to finish off Texas' 4-0 victory.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Gabby (2-0)
L: Rodriguez, Lauren (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Parker, Brianna 1
Base Running:
HBP: Powell, Chaler 1
Batting:
2B: Leahy, Randel 1
RBI: Shireman, Erin 1 ; Leahy, Randel 3
SF: Shireman, Erin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Stephens, Lindsey 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Kern, Holly 1 ; Krpec, Mickenzi 1
CS: Wong, Stephanie 1
HBP: Tunning, Devon 1
