Softball completes doubleheader sweep of Iowa State, 3-2

Saturday, April 18

Austin, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Texas

30-12, 5-3

Iowa State

21-19, 1-7

Iowa State

Texas

Softball completes doubleheader sweep of Iowa State, 3-2

04.18.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Senior pitcher Gabby Smith strikes out 10 while picking up her ninth win of 2015

AUSTIN, Texas – On Saturday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas (30-12, 5-3 Big 12 Conference) got a 10-strikeout effort from senior pitcher Gabby Smith and a pair of key RBI from sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning to finish off a league doubleheader sweep of Iowa State (21-19, 1-7 Big 12), 3-2.

Smith (9-2) was solid in the circle, posting her fifth career double-digit strikeout effort while allowing two earned runs on five hits with no walks.

Offensively, Tunning led the Longhorns by going 1-for-3 with a two-RBI double. Junior designated player Holly Kern was 2-for-3, junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens was 1-for-3 with a run scored and a triple and junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo was 1-for-2 with a tally.

"It's (two wins) significant," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "This is two weekends in a row where we've had to push to get in doubleheaders because of weather. I'm happy that we have a pitching staff that can handle that. We were able to not have Tiarra (Davis) get up and go, which bodes well for tomorrow. I thought both Gabby and Erica (Wright – game one winner) attacked the strike zone really well. I think they re-invented themselves a little bit. We kind of mixed up the game plan about half way through in both games and showed them a few different set-up pitches. They really attacked well, and I was pleased with that. I thought we came out and were fresh and ready to go."

"I think I was just working on attacking hitters (tonight)," Smith said. "That's something we talk about, just working ahead. I feel like when you're thinking attack and attack the hitters, you end up getting calls and swings and misses happen. It was hard today after the home run. With a close game, I thought to just attack the hitters, get ground balls, no walks. I think that was the key."

Texas' offense struck in the opening frame for the 12th time in the last 14 games as a two out Stephens triple to left center and a wild pitch combined to plate the junior center fielder for a quick 1-0 advantage.

With Smith in early control from the circle, having retired the first six batters she faced to open the contest, the Longhorns' offense put a crooked number on the scoreboard with two outs in the second. After freshman third baseman Randel Leahy walked and Ceo beat out a beautiful bunt single out in front of the plate, Tunning hammered a two-RBI double off the wall in center to expand UT's lead to three tallies.

The Cyclone offense finally managed its first base runners of the contest in the top of the fourth as center fielder Brittany Gomez and designated player Aly Cappaert each singled through the infield. With runners at the corners and one retired, shortstop Lexi Slater drove a sacrifice fly to left, plating Gomez easily from third to make it 3-1.

A Cappaert solo HR to right center with one out in the top of the sixth cut the Iowa State deficit even further, drawing the Cyclones with a single tally at 3-2.

Needing one run in the top of the seventh to continue the contest, ISU first baseman Jorden Spendlove got the Cyclones off to a promising start with a high-bouncing single deep into the hole at short. Looking to sacrifice, right fielder Kelsey McFarland popped up her bunt as Leahy raced in to make a huge catch at third for a big first out. That play killed off any ISU momentum as Smith got a groundout and her 10th K of the contest to complete the victory.