No. 24 Softball keeps rolling with 8-0 (5 inn.) win over Ball State

Saturday, February 20

Houston, Texas

10:30 a.m.

University of Texas

8-0

Ball State

2-6

Texas

Ball State

No. 24 Softball keeps rolling with 8-0 (5 inn.) win over Ball State

02.20.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Celina Felix blasts her third HR of the season, while Tiarra Davis tosses a one-hit shutout with eight K’s

HOUSTON, Texas – Make it a perfect 8-0 on the young season for No. 24 Texas softball as the Longhorns got a one-hit shutout from junior pitcher Tiarra Davis and a three-run bomb off the bat of junior third baseman Celina Felix in rolling past Ball State (2-6) on Saturday afternoon at the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational, 8-0 (5 inn.).

Davis (5-0) was in control from the circle throughout against the Cardinals, allowing only a first-inning single while walking just one and striking out a season-high-tying eight over 5.0 innings of work.

At the plate, Felix went 1-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs on her team-leading third HR of the season. Junior first baseman Kelli Hanzel contributed her second career HR via a two-run, fourth-inning blast to center as part of a 1-for-1, two-RBI effort. Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, a walk, her team-leading fifth double of 2016 and a RBI, freshman Christina Bardwell was a perfect 2-for-2 with a double, senior pinch hitter Holly Kern was 1-for-1 with a RBI and junior pinch hitter Taylor McAllister managed a RBI on a sacrifice fly.

After Texas wasted a lead-off base runner in the top of the first, Ball State posted a threat of its own in the bottom half. Pitcher Amanda Arnett walked to lead-off the frame and was joined on the base paths via a one-out single through the left side by center fielder Rachel Houck. Davis responded to the threat in strong fashion, however, posting consecutive strikeouts of left fielder Selena Reyna and right fielder India Steward to leave two Cardinals stranded.

Bardwell tried to get something started for the Longhorns in the top of the second by lacing her first career collegiate double to right center with one retired. With two aboard and two down after senior catcher Erin Shireman was hit-by-pitch, Davis was summoned into hit facing a big early spot. The Henderson, Texas, native absolutely ripped a liner, but it traveled straight to Emily Dabkowski at short to end the inning.

The long ball made its first Saturday appearance for the Burnt Orange & White in the top of the third, With junior shortstop Devon Tunning and Stephens on base via one-out walks, Felix stepped into the box and crushed a three-run HR over the wall in left center to grant Texas a 3-0 lead.

With senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo at first on a one-out walk in the top of the fourth, Hanzel made it 5-0 in favor of the Horns by hammering a two-run shot just over the center field fence. The assault continued as junior left fielder Stephanie Wong singled through the left side and quickly swiped second to reach scoring position. Stephens came to the plate and blasted her team-leading fifth double of the season to plate Wong for a six-run advantage. After Felix reached on a throwing error at first, Kern delivered a pinch-hit, RBI single, and then McAllister followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 8-0.

Ball State came up with one last chance to avoid the run-rule in the bottom of the fifth, but were retired one-two-three as Davis finished off her one-hitter in style with her seventh and eight K's of the contest.

The Longhorns will play a pair on Sunday to wrap up the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational with match-ups scheduled against Toledo (11:30 a.m. CT) and Houston (2 p.m. CT). Live radio for both games with Terry Lewis via the Austin Sports Network will be available online through TexasSports.com as well as on AM 1260 in Austin and surrounding areas.