The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
Softball preview: vs. Texas State [March 30, 2016]
03.29.2016 | Softball
Texas looks to get back into the win column by hosting the Bobcats at 6 p.m. CT on LHN
Texas Game Notes vs. Texas State - March 30, 2016
Texas State (23-11) at No. RV Texas (19-8) | March 30 | McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 30
6 p.m. CT Texas State at No. RV TEXAS – LINK TO WATCH LHN
**check TexasSports.com or our Twitter account (@TexasSoftball) for any weather-related delay or cancellation information should it become necessary
Location: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Ticket Information: LINK
Live Stats: LINK
Television: The game will be broadcast live on Longhorn Network with Tyler Denning (play-by-play) and Megan Willis (color) on the call.
Radio: Wednesday's game is slated for radio broadcast via web stream with Terry Lewis on the call via this LINK. It 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 Texas State by a 35-10 margin, but lost in the teams' previous meeting this season back on March 2 in San Marcos, 9-5. The Longhorns are 21-6 against the Bobcats at home with the last loss at McCombs Field coming back on Feb. 11, 2009, by a score of 9-6.
- With a fifth-inning pinch running appearance during last Saturday's 6-5 loss at No. 20 Baylor, senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo appeared in her 200th career game on the Forty Acres. She needs to play in 21 more games to tie Lexy Bennett (2009-12) for 10th all-time in program history (221 appearances).
- 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 19-8, Clark's overall record stands at 788-341-3, meaning the 20th year varsity coach needs just 12 more victories to reach the 800-win mark in her career.
- Texas softball hit a milestone during the Texas Classic on the opening weekend of the 2016 season as the 4-1 win over Arkansas on Feb. 11, represented the program's 400th all-time home victory combining both Red & Charline McCombs Field and the East Austin Youth Complex (played the program's inaugural 1997 varsity season there). The Longhorns now boast an all-time home mark of 409-107-2 (.791). At McCombs Field, UT is 395-100-2 (.797) all-time, and could soon hit the 400-win mark at the facility.
- 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 (13 games ago), the Beaumont, Texas, native is hitting a ridiculous .511 (24-for-47) with 12 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, three HR's and 11 RBIs to go along with a 1.382 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.
- Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens currently leads the Big 12 Conference in overall batting average at .418. The Beaumont, Texas, native also rates tied for third in the league in hits (38), seventh in on-base percentage (.460), tied for third in triples (two), third in total bases (66) and fourth in slugging percentage (.725).
- The second release of the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) has been issued by the NCAA and Texas currently rates at No. 41 overall. In the Big 12 Conference, the Longhorns rank third behind only Oklahoma (No. 12) and Baylor (No. 14). UT was No. 37 in last week's initial release of the season.
- Who scores first has played a major role to this point in whether Texas or its opposition wins games in 2016. Thus far through 27 contests, the Longhorns are 13-1 when putting a run on the scoreboard first and just 6-7 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 27 games of the season, the Longhorns are 19-2 when scoring three-or-more times in a game and 0-6 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 (.358), third in triples (12), third in HR's (37), fourth in RBIs (141), second in slugging percentage (.695), 10th in runs scored (123) and sixth in on-base percentage (.428). 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 8-4 record in one-run games in 2016. UT also owns five walk-off wins and nine come-from-behind victories this year.
