The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Softball preview: at No. 20 Baylor [March 25-26, 2016]
03.24.2016 | Softball
The Longhorns prepare to open Big 12 Conference action with a visit to Getterman Stadium in Waco, Texas
Texas Game Notes at No. 20 Baylor - March 25-26, 2016
No. RV/NR Texas (19-6) at No. 20/20 Baylor (23-6) | March 25-26 | Getterman Stadium, Waco, Texas
Schedule:
Friday, March 25
6:30 p.m. CT No. RV/NR TEXAS at No. 20 Baylor – FOX Sports Southwest
Saturday, March 26
8 p.m. CT No. RV/NR TEXAS at No. 20 Baylor – ESPN2
Location: Waco, Texas (Getterman Stadium)
Ticket Information: LINK
Live Stats: Friday's game – LINK; Saturday's game - LINK
Television: Friday's game will be broadcast on FOX Sports Southwest with Dave Barnett (PxP) and Tracy Warren (color), while Saturday's contest will be shown on ESPN2 with Adam Amin (PxP) and Amanda Scarborough (color).
Radio: Both games are slated for radio broadcast via web stream with Terry Lewis on the call via this LINK. They can also be heard locally in Austin on 105.3 FM in the local and surrounding areas, part of the Austin Radio Network supported by the flagship radio station of the Longhorns, 104.9 FM The Horn.
Base Knocks:
- Texas leads the all-time series against Baylor by a 28-14 total, including a 12-8 record in road games in Waco. The Longhorns have won nine of the last 11 meetings between the two teams, including two-of-three during last season's three-contest split series on May 6 and May 9-10, 2015. UT dropped the series opener in Waco on May 6, 5-0, before rebounding to sweep the last two tilts in Austin over May 9-10, 5-3 and 5-0. UT has lost each of its last two trips to Waco on May 6, 2014 (L, 2-1), and May 6, 2015.
- Since the decision was made to move senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens into the lead-off spot in the line-up prior to the Illinois game on Feb. 27 (11 games ago), the Beaumont, Texas, native is hitting a ridiculous .575 (23-for-40) with 11 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, two HR's and 10 RBIs to go along with a 1.496 OPS. That's certainly not to take away from what UT's normal lead-off hitter Devon Tunning did in that spot over the opening 14 games this season, a .366 mark (15-for-41) with a .458 on-base percentage while reaching base safely by hit or walk in 12 of 14 contests.
- This weekend's two-game set matches the top two strikeout pitchers (currently) in the Big 12 Conference in Texas' Tiarra Davis (84 K's) and Baylor's Heather Stearns (106 K's). The duo is currently tied with Kansas' Andie Formby for the most wins in the league as well with 11.
- Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens currently leads the Big 12 Conference in overall batting average at .440. The Beaumont, Texas, native also rates second in the league in hits (37), third in on-base percentage (.484), tied for third in triples (two), fifth in total bases (62) and fifth in slugging percentage (.738).
- The Longhorns enter this weekend's Big 12 Conference opener at 15-5 all-time in league openers and have won their last eight in a row dating back to a loss to Oklahoma to open the 2007 league slate. UT is 2-0 against this weekend's opponent Baylor in conference lid-lifters with victories on March 23, 2013 (W, 4-0, 9 inn.) and March 22, 2014 (W, 4-1). UT is 216-117 (.649) all-time in Big 12 Conference play.
- The first release of the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) has been issued by the NCAA and Texas currently rates at No. 37 overall. In the Big 12 Conference, the Longhorns rank third behind only Oklahoma (No. 12) and Baylor (No. 14).
- Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens is on pace to set a couple of impressive single-season Texas records if she continues her torrid hitting pace. The Beaumont, Texas, native is currently hitting .440 overall, just ahead of Lexy Bennett's school record of .438 set back in 2011. With nine doubles already through just 25 games, Stephens also needs just eight more two-baggers to surpass the program mark of 16 done by both Taylor Thom (2013) and Nadia Taylor (2012).
- Who scores first has played a major role to this point in whether Texas or its opposition wins games in 2016. Thus far through 25 contests, the Longhorns are 13-1 when putting a run on the scoreboard first and just 6-5 when the opposition crosses the plate initially.
- Scoring three runs appears to be the magic number for success for the Texas softball teams this season. Through the opening 25 games of the season, the Longhorns are 19-1 when scoring three-or-more times in a game and 0-5 when being held below that number.
- Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens continues her quick ascension up the Texas career charts in numerous categories. She's now fourth in career batting average (.361), third in triples (12), tied for third in HR's (36), fourth in RBIs (140), second in slugging percentage (.697), 10th in runs scored (122) and sixth in on-base percentage (.431). She also sits just outside the career Top 10 in doubles (29 - needs sixth for 10th).
- Texas is obviously comfortable playing close games as the Longhorns currently boast an 8-3 record in one-run games in 2016. UT also owns five walk-off wins and nine come-from-behind victories this year.
- UT head coach Connie Clark is closing in on a milestone victory during her impressive career on the Forty Acres. With her 2016 team currently sitting at 19-6, Clark's overall record stands at 788-339-3, meaning the 20th year varsity coach needs just 12 more victories to reach the 800-win mark in her career.
