Softball loses to Iowa in Rainbow Wahine Classic opener, 1-0

Wednesday, March 16

Honolulu, Hawai'i

8:30 p.m.

University of Texas

16-5

Iowa

7-13

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

Softball loses to Iowa in Rainbow Wahine Classic opener, 1-0

03.16.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Junior starter Tiarra Davis equaled a career-high with 13 strikeouts during the tough defeat

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Despite a career-high-tying 13 strikeouts over a complete-game, two-hit effort from junior starting pitcher Tiarra Davis, Texas (16-5) dropped a 1-0 decision to Iowa on Wednesday afternoon in both teams' Rainbow Wahine Classic opener.

The 13 K's marked the third time Davis (10-4) reached double figures in strikeouts during her career and proved to be the most for Davis since the Henderson, Texas, native also struck out a baker's dozen against North Texas back on March 11, 2014. During the contest, the left-hander allowed just two hits, one earned run and walked three over 7.0 innings.

The Longhorns out-hit the Hawkeyes in the match-up, 6-2, led by junior third baseman Celina Felix's 2-for-3 effort. Junior left fielder Stephanie Wong (1-for-3), freshman right fielder Reagan Hathaway (1-for-3), Davis (1-for-3) and senior catcher Erin Shireman (1-for-2) all managed base hits for UT.

Iowa tried getting something started immediately against Davis with one out in the top of the first as first baseman Kaitlyn Mullarkey walked and center fielder Sammi Gyerman followed with a single through the right side. Texas' hurler refused to let the Hawkeyes break in front, however, striking out catcher Holly Hoffman before getting left fielder Angela Schmiederer to ground into an inning-ending fielder's choice to short.

Texas received a two-out single from Felix in the bottom of the first, but that was all as lengthy blasts from senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens, to start the frame, and Hathaway were tracked down just short of the fencing.

Despite issuing a lead-off walk to open the second, Davis settled in from there, striking out the side to give the Henderson, Texas, native five K's over the opening two frames.

UT's starter continued her impressive work from the circle, improving her K total to nine through four innings to establish a new season-high for strikeouts.

Felix laced her second hit of the contest into left for Texas with one retired in the bottom of the fourth. Iowa starter Elizabeth Wiegand did her part to keep the pitcher's duel going, though, retiring the next two UT hitters on a K and a bouncer to maintain the scoreless dead-lock.

The Hawkeyes managed a lead-off base runner to begin the top of the sixth as Mullarkey was struck on the knee in what proved to be a costly hit-by-pitch. Gyerman stepped into the box and attempted to drop a sac bunt, but popped it up as Shireman raced out to make a catch to the left of the plate. Schmiederer managed a two-out walk to station a pair aboard and set the stage for a breakthrough. Designated player Mallory Kilian followed by bouncing a base knock back up the middle, and Stephens charged hard on the ball from her defensive position. Unfortunately, the center fielder's throw to the plate proved just late as Mullarkey scored from second to grant the Hawkeyes a 1-0 advantage.

Needing another late rally, Wong tried to get something going for Texas in the bottom of the sixth with a one-out single to right. Following a fielder's choice, Hathaway lined a base hit the other way to left, placing a pair of Horns on base with two down. Junior shortstop Devon Tunning came to the plate facing a big spot and blasted a shot to deep right. Iowa's Allie Wood raced back quickly and make an inning-ending grab on the run near the fencing to keep the Longhorns off the scoreboard.

Down to one last opportunity to extend or win the contest in the seventh, Texas went down in order against Wiegand on two grounders and a K as Iowa prevailed, 1-0.