The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
27-9
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
12-22-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M CC | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Texas | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | X | 11 | 11 | 0 |
Softball blasts past Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 11-2 (5 inn.)
04.07.2015 | Softball
Longhorns’ win streak now stands at a season-best nine consecutive victories
AUSTIN, Texas – On Tuesday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball (27-9) extended its season-long winning streak to nine consecutive games with an 11-2 (5 inn.) victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning led an 11-hit offensive output with her second two-HR game over the last five days, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, the two big flies and three RBIs. Senior pitcher Gabby Smith was a perfect 2-for-2 at the dish with a tally and two RBIs, junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and freshman third baseman Randel Leahy was 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. Sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel (1-for-2, run) and junior designated player Holly Kern (1-for-2) each knocked in a run, while junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens blasted her fourth triple of the year as part of a 1-for-3 effort.
Making her first start since the Kansas series on March 28, Smith (7-1) earned the victory in the circle, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
After Texas A&M-Corpus Christi left a runner stranded in scoring position during the top of the first, Texas' offense got off to a quick start in the bottom half. Tunning continued her amazing production from the lead-off spot, blasting her fourth HR of the season over the left field wall to make it 1-0. Sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong stepped to the plate and ripped a shot back to the circle that was knocked down by Islander pitcher Liz Carter with her glove up near her head. Understandably shaken up by the liner, Carter's quick throw to first proved low for an error as Wong rolled into second. Despite two quick outs that threatened to prematurely end the scoring threat, UT would soon explode for five more scores as a Hanzel RBI single, a two-RBI base knock by Leahy and a two-RBI double off Ceo's bat boosted Texas to a commanding 6-0 advantage through one complete.
The Islanders tried to get back into the contest during the top of the second as a Hayley Galloway single and a Jessica Mendez hit-by-pitch put a pair aboard with two down. Smith would have none of it, however, as center fielder Mackinzee Griebel swung and missed at strike three to raise Texas A&M-CC's left stranded count to three through two frames.
The offensive fireworks continued with one retired in the Texas second as Stephens' fourth triple of the campaign was quickly cashed in by Kern via RBI single.
Texas A&M-CC broke up the shutout in the top of the third as a leadoff Cosette Hernandez double, a Dani Tefft single and a Carter ground ball to short combined to cut into the Islander deficit. With a runner still in scoring position and two down, right fielder Mickayla Cochran blooped a ball down the left field line to plate Tefft and make it 7-2.
In the bottom of the third, Tunning blasted a two-run shot to left center, marking her second two-HR game over the last five days (previously at Texas State, April 3).
Texas brought the run-rule into play during the bottom of the fourth as a single from sophomore pinch hitter Mickenzi Krpec and consecutive hit-by-pitches of Shireman and Hanzel set the stage for a Smith two-RBI single, expanding the Longhorns' lead to 11-2.
Needing two runs to avoid an early finish, the Islanders got singles from Hernandez and catcher Brittney Morse to put a pair aboard with one down. That was all Smith would allow, however, as a pop-up and liner to second completed Texas' ninth-straight win.
Texas Notes
Streaking Longhorns: Texas has now won nine straight games, including the last four in Austin. Sophomore Devon Tunning continues to rake, as she has now reached base safely in a career high 21-straight contests, which is tied for the second longest by any player in the last two seasons. Sophomore Stephanie Wong (19), junior Lindsey Stephens (11), and junior Erin Shireman (11) also extended their streaks of reaching safely.
Starting off quickly: Texas has become accustomed to getting the lead in the first inning. With a six spot in the first against TAMU-CC, the Longhorns have scored 57 runs in the first frame, which is good for 24% of the total runs the team has scored.
Playing long ball: With two home runs in the contest, Texas has now hit a long ball in seven straight contests. Over those seven games, the Longhorns have hit 15 dingers.
Helping her own cause: Senior Gabby Smith went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and two RBIs to help herself pick up the win. In the circle, the senior threw a complete game, including five strikeouts and zero walks.
Production from the bottom: Spots eight and nine (Leahy and Ceo) had a major impact on the contest. Combined they went 3-for-6 with a run scored and four RBIs.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Gabby (7-1)
L: Carter, Liz (9-13)
Batting:
2B: Hernandez, Cosette 1
RBI: Carter, Liz 1 ; Cochran, Mickayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hernandez, Cosette 1 ; Tefft, Dani 1
HBP: Mendez, Jessica 1
Batting:
2B: Ceo, Stephanie 1
3B: Stephens, Lindsey 1
HR: Tunning, Devon 2
RBI: Tunning, Devon 3 ; Kern, Holly 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Leahy, Randel 2 ; Ceo, Stephanie 2 ; Smith, Gabby 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Tunning, Devon 2 ; Wong, Stephanie 1 ; Stephens, Lindsey 1 ; Krpec, Mickenzi 1 ; Shireman, Erin 2 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Gabaldon, Marlee 1 ; Leahy, Randel 1 ; Smith, Gabby 1
HBP: Shireman, Erin 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1
