Softball powers its way past Hawai’i, 5-2

Thursday, March 17

Honolulu, Hawai'i

11 p.m.

University of Texas

18-5

Hawai'i

14-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Texas	0	0	2	1	0	0	2	5	9	0
Hawaii	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	6	1

03.18.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Senior right fielder Holly Kern and junior pitcher Tiarra Davis each blasted home runs in the victory

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – On a blustery Thursday night in Rainbow Wahine Classic action, Texas softball (18-5) got home runs off the bats of senior right fielder Holly Kern and junior pitcher Tiarra Davis and banged out nine hits as a team in powering its way past Hawai'i, 5-2.

Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored in raising her season average to a team-leading .468 overall. Kern's HR marked her first of the season and came as part of a 1-for-3 effort, while Davis hit a two-run shot in going 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Freshman left fielder Reagan Hathaway was 1-for-4 with a RBI and junior third baseman Celina Felix was also 1-for-4 with a run scored, a double and a RBI.

Davis was also strong in the circle in improving to 11-4 on the season, tossing a complete game, six-hitter while allowing two earned runs, walking three and striking out five.

After wasting a lead-off base runner in each of the first two innings, Texas' offense finally got ignited in the top of the third by grabbing a 2-0 lead over Hawai'i. Stephens got the outburst started with a one-out single to center and immediately took second on an errant throw back into the infield. With two down after a pop-up, Felix ripped a RBI double into the right center field gap to score Stephens and make it 1-0. Hathaway followed immediately with her own RBI single to right center as the Horns nabbed a two-run advantage.

The Longhorns got a tremendous defensive play from Kern to end the second as the senior right fielder raced back on a drive from UH first baseman Rachael Turner and crashed into the wall to make a "web gem" catch.

Very effective through the opening two frames while facing just one over the minimum, Davis was finally reached for a hit with two down in the bottom of the third as Hawai'i second baseman Sarah Muzik laced a single to left. That didn't faze the UT left-hander, however, as she induced a pop-up back to the circle to conclude the frame.

Texas utilized the long ball to add to its lead during the top of the fourth. Kern followed her outstanding defensive gem by blasting her first HR of the season, via a towering drive to left center, improving UT's advantage to 3-0. With Stephanie Ceo stationed in scoring position on a single and an advance via a fly out, Stephens ripped a two-out single through the right side. The senior second baseman was sent around third in an attempt to score but was thrown out at the plate.

Hawaii posted its best threat of the game to that point during the bottom of the fifth as Turner and designated player Heather Morales each walked to open the inning. A foul-out outside first and a pop-up to short threatened to derail the opportunity. With the runners in scoring position after a passed ball and a wild pitch, Rainbow Wahine third baseman Nicole Lopez drove a liner to left. Hathaway was positioned perfectly to make the catch as UH missed a big opportunity to get back in the game.

The Rainbow Wahine got back in business in the sixth as singles from right fielder Keiki Carlos and shortstop Breanna Ojala set UH up with two on and one retired. Catcher Rachel Lack cut into the deficit by driving a two-RBI double to left to trim UT's lead to 3-2. With the potential tying run in scoring position, Davis handled a pop to the circle and struck out designated player Heather Morales to maintain UT's one-tally advantage.

The Burnt Orange & White answered right back with some vital insurance in the top of the seventh. With Stephens at first on a one-out single, Davis helped her own cause by blasting a two-run HR to center to make it 5-2.

Hawaii wouldn't go down without trying to fight, though, as pinch hitter Jennifer Iseri christened the bottom of the seventh with a bloop single to right center. With the runner at second after a wild pitch, a fielder's choice, a pop-up to second and a fly out to left finished off Texas' Thursday sweep.