The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
14-7
Ohio
4-10
Softball uses long ball to run-rule Ohio University, 11-0 (5 inn.)
03.06.2015 | Softball
Texas junior catcher Erin Shireman knocked in a career-high five runs in the victory
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Three-run HR's from sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning, junior catcher Erin Shireman and sophomore pinch hitter/relief pitcher Tiarra Davis powered Texas (14-7) past Ohio University in both teams' Carolina Classic opener on Friday at Anderson Softball Stadium, 11-0 (5 inn.).
Shireman led the 12-hit Longhorns offensive attack, going 3-for-3 with a run scored, her sixth HR of the season and a career-high five RBIs. Tunning was 2-for-4 with a tally, her first HR of 2015 and three RBIs, while Davis was 1-for-1 with her initial big fly of the campaign and three RBIs. Junior designated player Holly Kern and senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon each went a perfect 2-for-2 at the dish.
Senior pitcher Gabby Smith was again impressive from the circle, improving to 3-0 for the year while stretching her scoreless streak to 13 innings dating back to Feb. 27. The Houston, Texas, native allowed just two hits, walked one and struck out six over 4.0 innings of work. Davis permitted a pair of singles, walked one and K'ed a pair while tossing a scoreless fifth frame.
Texas wasted no time jumping on top of Ohio in the top of the first, putting up two runs on three hits. As she has done so often this season, Tunning got a scoring chance started with a single to left. After sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong was hit by a one out pitch, Kern bounced a ball through the right side of the infield for a hit. Unfortunately for UT, Bobcat right fielder Adrienne Gebele came up throwing and cut down Tunning at the plate for the second out. Shireman refused to let OU out of the inning without any damage, however, lacing a single past short and into left for a pair of RBIs as Texas nabbed a quick 2-0 lead.
Smith was in charge from the start as the senior hurler struck out shortstop Amanda Dalton, center fielder Sloan Walker and third baseman Casie Hutchinson in order in the bottom of the first.
The Burnt Orange & White advantage continued to grow in the second as a Kelli Hanzel walk and a one-out Gabaldon single were cashed in on a three-run bomb to left by Tunning. For the Montgomery, Texas, product the HR marked her initial big fly of the season and came on the first pitch she received from Ohio starter Lauren McClary.
A string of seven consecutive Bobcat batters retired by Smith was broken up via a one-out walk during the Ohio fourth. A wild pitch and a subsequent single off the bat of designated player Kaylin Clarke stationed runners at the corners as OU managed its first serious threat of the match-up. Smith proved up to the challenge, however, striking out first baseman Kaylin Clarke, for her sixth K of the game, before inducing a grounder to second from pinch hitter Timmie Rappe to end the chance.
The Longhorn offense ignited more fireworks by putting up six runs on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth. Shireman followed consecutive Lindsey Stephens and Kern base knocks with a towering HR to right, pushing Texas to a commanding 8-0 lead. A Smith single and a hit batter put two more Horns on base, setting the stage for a three-run HR off Davis' bat to extend the advantage to 11-0.
With one last chance to extend the match-up in the fifth, Ohio managed to load the bases with two out against Davis via a single up the middle, a walk and a base knock that just tipped off the glove of UT's leaping hurler. Hutchinson stepped to the dish facing a big opportunity for the Bobcats but swung and missed at strike three to finish off Texas' run-rule triumph.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Gabby (3-0)
L: MCCLARY,Lauren (0-6)
Batting:
HR: Tunning, Devon 1 ; Shireman, Erin 1 ; Davis, Tiarra 1
RBI: Tunning, Devon 3 ; Shireman, Erin 5 ; Davis, Tiarra 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Tunning, Devon 1 ; Wong, Stephanie 1 ; Stephens, Lindsey 1 ; Kern, Holly 2 ; Shireman, Erin 1 ; Smith, Gabby 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Leahy, Randel 1 ; Gabaldon, Marlee 1 ; Davis, Tiarra 1
CS: Stephens, Lindsey 1
HBP: Wong, Stephanie 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1
