Softball completes series sweep of Iowa State, 4-1

Sunday, April 19

Austin, Texas

1 p.m.

University of Texas

31-12, 6-3

Iowa State

21-20, 1-8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Iowa State	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	3
Texas	0	1	0	2	0	1	X	4	6	0

Softball completes series sweep of Iowa State, 4-1

04.19.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Longhorns improve to 6-3 in Big 12 Conference play to move into second-place tie in the standings

AUSTIN, Texas – On a beautiful 86-degree Sunday afternoon in front of 970 fans at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas (31-12, 6-3 Big 12 Conference) got single RBI from junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens, junior designated player Holly Kern and freshman third baseman Randel Leahy in completing a three-game league sweep of Iowa State (21-20, 1-8 Big 12), 4-1.

Sophomore Tiarra Davis started in the circle for the Longhorns, working 3.2 innings while allowing one earned run on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Freshman Erica Wright picked up the victory in relief, improving to 13-6 for the year after permitting just two hits, walking two and striking out seven over 3.1 frames.

Six different UT players managed hits with sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning (1-for-3, two runs), sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong (1-for-3, double) and junior catcher Erin Shireman (1-for-3) joining Stephens, Kern (double) and Leahy (double) in the hit column.

A leadoff walk issued to ISU center fielder Brittany Gomez came back to hurt the Longhorns in the top of the first as the Cyclones nabbed a quick 1-0 advantage. Following a pair of grounders to second that put two outs on the board and moved the runner within 60 feet of pay dirt, second baseman Maddie Reese launched a RBI double to center. Davis then got first baseman Jorden Spendlove to bounce out harmlessly to short, but not before ISU broke in front on the scoreboard.

Davis settled in after allowing the first-inning score, needing just nine pitches in a one-two-three second frame while striking out a pair.

After stranding Tunning at first following her single to open the game, Texas' offense got something more substantial underway with one down in the bottom of the second as sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel walked and senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon was struck by the pitch. That created an opportunity for Leahy, and she delivered again via a RBI double into the gap in right center, plating Hanzel to tie the contest. With two outs, the lead almost grew larger as Tunning ripped a liner that was headed up the middle. Pitcher Stacy Roggentien prevented at least one run from scoring, however, by making a great defensive play on a catch in the circle to end the threat.

A dropped fly at the fence in deep left center and a hit batter opened the door for the Horns with two down in the bottom of the third, but again UT's offense suffered some unfortunate luck. Hanzel stepped into the box and lined a shot that was caught by third baseman Nychole Antillon to save at least another run.

It proved ironic that after so many tremendous defensive plays, it was Iowa State's defense that finally allowed Texas to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. With Ceo at second on a walk and a stolen base, Tunning hit a ball into the hole on the right side of the infield. Reese raced over and made a great diving stop, but her in-time throw to first was dropped for an error as Ceo scored from second to make it 2-1. Wong followed with a double just inside the third base bag and down the line as Tunning raced around from first with the Longhorns' third tally.

The Cyclones' lead-off speedster Gomez again tried to mount a one-player rally with two outs in the top of the fifth by singling to left center and swiping second. Shortstop Lexi Slater hit a promising blooper to right center, but Ceo raced back quickly to make the catch on the outfield grass.

After Texas left two on in the fifth with no scoring, ISU drew a lead-off walk to start the sixth. In what proved to be an important play, pinch runner Cathlin Bingham was caught stealing on a perfect throw from Shireman to Tunning for the second out. That proved potentially run-saving for the Horns defense as the Cyclones followed with a walk and a single up the middle. Wright finished off the threat with her fifth strikeout as the Iowa State left stranded count grew to six through six frames.

The Longhorns added a big insurance run with two retired in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-1 advantage. With two on the base paths after Tunning walked and Wong was hit by a pitch, Kern hit a bouncer that took a bad hop up and over the third baseman's shoulder into left field. Tunning was sent around third and was thrown out at the plate. The umpire ruled, however, that there was interference at home with the catcher blocking the dish, therefore the run counted.

Entering the seventh needing two runs to keep the contest going, Iowa State had no luck against Wright as the freshman hurler set the Cyclones down in order with a pair of K's to end the UT victory.

Texas Notes

Series control: Texas has controlled the series against Iowa State, winning 45 of the 46 contests that have been played against the two teams.

Pitching domination: In the three-game sweep, Texas freshman Erica Wright, senior Gabby Smith and sophomore Tiarra Davis combined for 30 strikeouts, including 16 from Wright.

Two-out production: Texas accounted for four RBI with two outs in the series. Overall, the Longhorns have scored 90 of their 239 RBIs this season with two outs.

Devon Tunning: Texas' sophomore shortstop was a thorn in the side of Iowa State all weekend. The sophomore went 3-for-8 with two walks, three runs scored and four RBI over the three-game series.