Softball takes season opener over Arkansas, 4-1

Thursday, February 11

Austin, Texas

6 p.m.

University of Texas

1-0

Arkansas

0-1

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

02.11.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo went 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs to lead the offense

AUSTIN, Texas – Make it a perfect 20-0 all-time for Texas softball in season openers as the Longhorns utilized a key three-run, sixth-inning outburst and strong pitching from junior left hander Tiarra Davis to top Arkansas in the first game of the Texas Classic on Thursday night at Red & Charline McCombs Field, 4-1.

Davis tossed a complete-game five-hitter in earning her first victory since May 2, 2015, during a win at Oklahoma State, allowing just one run while walking three and striking out eight over 126 total pitches.

At the plate, Texas senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo led the charge by going a perfect 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs. Following an offseason transfer from Mt. San Antonio College, junior third baseman Celina Felix went 2-for-3 at the dish with a run scored in her Burnt Orange & White debut. Freshman designated player Reagan Hathaway was 1-for-1 with two walks and a pair of runs in her first action on the Forty Acres. Senior right fielder Holly Kern was 1-for-2 at the plate, singling on a sharp drive back to the circle during the fourth.

"I think tonight was a good win for us," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "Arkansas is a quality opponent. They've got a new coaching staff, so we knew they would throw some good things at us. I thought they competed very well, so it was a good match-up for us in our first game. It was nice that it ended up a little bit tight throughout to see how we would respond to that. I'd give our team an 'A' on handling the little things tonight. I'm really pleased with that. We just have to stay consistent."

The contest started as a pitcher's duel with Davis and Arkansas starter Grace Moll grabbing control immediately during the first inning. Davis struck out two of the three batters she faced in the opening frame, while Moll coerced a pair of bouncers and a routine "can of corn" to center.

Despite issuing a lead-off walk, Davis continued her early dominance into the second with consecutive strikeouts of left fielder Loren Krzysko and shortstop Madison Yannetti.

A pair of Texas newcomers, Felix and Hathaway, got the Longhorns offense going in the bottom of the second as each registered her first career Texas hit on singles through the left side and up the middle, respectively. Unfortunately for UT, consecutive unassisted put outs to UA first baseman Nicole Schroeder and a hard grounder to second left the duo stranded on the base paths.

Arkansas managed its own serious offensive opportunity in the top of the third as a lead-off walk by catcher Lauren Archuleta, an infield single to short from third baseman Autumn Russell and a stolen base set the Razorbacks up with a pair in scoring position and two retired. Davis proved up to the challenge from the circle, however, inducing a roller to first that was handled by junior Kelli Hanzel to end the threat with no damage.

A two-out walk from junior left fielder Stephanie Wong granted the Longhorns a two-out chance in the bottom of the third. Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens stepped to the dish and launched a high fly to deep center, but it was caught near the base of the wall for a loud third out.

Singles from Schroeder and Krzysko got the Razorback offense back in business with one out in the top of the fourths. A bouncer to the right side of the infield was handled by Ceo as UA had two runners in scoring position. Again Arkansas would leave a pair stranded as Davis struck out Archuleta for her fifth K of the night.

Texas finally broke the scoreless deadlock in the bottom of the fourth by grabbing a 1-0 lead. A Hathaway walk and Kern's single off the pitcher set the Horns up with two on and just one retired. Following a Texas bouncer to first, Ceo stepped to the plate facing a big spot. The Meadow Vista, Calif., product delivered in the clutch, driving a RBI single back through the middle to grant the Horns a 1-0 advantage.

A lead-off hit batter and a wild pitch put Arkansas lead-off batter Shelby Hiers at second beginning the top of the sixth. Schroeder immediately followed with a looping single into shallow right and suddenly the Razorbacks had base runners at the corners with still no outs. That set the stage for UA to tie things up as Krzysko hit into a fielder's choice to second. Ceo scooped the ball and tossed home in an attempt to get the runner, but her throw proved too late as Hiers crossed from 60 feet to make it 1-1.

Felix and Hathaway got another Longhorns threat going in the bottom of the sixth on a single and a walk, respectively. Following a perfect Kern sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position, a passed ball and subsequent throwing error on Arkansas catcher Archuleta allowed the pair to score as Texas nabbed a 3-1 lead. A free pass drawn by junior pinch hitter Taylor McAllister was quickly cashed in on a long Ceo RBI triple to the wall in right center as the Horns advantage expanded further to 4-1.

Facing a three-run deficit with one final chance to rally in the top of the seventh, Arkansas got off to a promising start as pinch hitter Carley Haizlip walked and center fielder Stephanie Canfield singled to center. With no one retired, Russell hit a shot to Davis in the circle. The hurler fielded her position and fired quickly to third for the force to nail the lead runner for an important initial out. From there, Davis' eighth K of the contest and a foul out down the right field line that was squeezed by Kern finished off UT's season-opening triumph.