Softball evens the series with a 2-0 shutout of Texas Tech

Saturday, April 9

Austin, Texas

1 p.m.

University of Texas

26-10, 1-3

Texas Tech

19-20, 4-1

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

Softball evens the series with a 2-0 shutout of Texas Tech

04.09.2016 | Softball

Box Score

The two teams will contest their Big 12 Conference “rubber match” on Sunday at Noon CT

AUSTIN, Texas – On Saturday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball (26-10, 1-3 Big 12 Conference) got a first-inning solo HR from junior third baseman Celina Felix, an insurance RBI off the bat of junior first baseman Kelli Hanzel and the third shutout of the year from junior hurler Tiarra Davis in blanking Texas Tech (19-20, 4-1 Big 12 Conference) and handing the Red Raiders their first league defeat, 2-0.

Davis was solid from the circle, striking out nine, scattering five hits and walking three over seven innings of work while improving to 15-8 on the season.

At the plate, Felix (1-for-3) blasted her sixth HR of 2016 during the bottom of the first inning to set the tone from the start of the match-up. Hanzel was 1-for-2 with a fourth-inning RBI single and senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens added her 14th and 15th doubles of the year as part of a 2-for-3 effort. The Beaumont, Texas, product needs just one more two-bagger to tie the single-season school record for doubles currently held by former Longhorns Taylor Thom and Nadia Taylor. Senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo (1-for-3, run) and senior right fielder Holly Kern (1-for-3) contributed Texas' other hits.

After Texas Tech left a runner stranded in the top of the first, the Longhorns jumped in front in the bottom half. With two down in the frame, Felix blasted her sixth HR of the season to left center, off TTU starter Cheyene Powell, to grant the Burnt Orange & White a quick 1-0 lead.

The Red Raiders tried to answer right back during the top of the second by getting a hit batter and a walk to put a pair aboard with just one down. Davis responded to the situation by inducing a fielder's choice force at second before striking out shortstop Brooke Scott looking to end the threat.

Davis found herself in a major jam in the top of the fourth as a leadoff single from TTU second baseman Kirsten Schwirtlich and a double to left center by designated player Karli Hamilton got the Red Raiders in business with two in scoring position and no outs. Following a foul pop-up to first off the bat of catcher Susan Welborn, Hanzel made arguably the play of the game on a bunt by Scott. The Texas first baseman charged quickly, corralled the ball and made a quick tag on Scott for a vital second out while holding the lead runner at third. A bouncer back to the circle by center fielder Jordan Bettiol marked the third out as Texas Tech missed a huge chance to get on the board.

Freshman left fielder Reagan Hathaway got the Longhorns off to a promising start in the bottom of the fourth with a lead-off walk. After a sacrifice bunt, Texas boasted runners at the corners on a Ceo base knock. With one occupant still stationed at second following a pick-off at third, Hanzel doubled the lead to 2-0 on a sharp RBI single through the right side.

Texas Tech's offense managed single base runners during both the fifth and sixth innings on a two-out single and a lead-off walk, respectively, but couldn't advance anyone as far as second base in either frame.

With one last chance to get back in the contest in the top of the seventh, the Red Raiders went down in order as Davis struck out the last two batters she faced to seal the triumph.

Postgame Quotes

Texas Head Coach Connie Clark

On Tiarra Davis's attitude after last night's loss: I think she was just frustrated feeling like, "What else can I do?" I think she pitched well enough to win last night quite honestly, but we didn't get the outcome. I think there were a lot of good things in that game. There were a lot of quality at-bats, we just hit the ball at people. We had opportunities. We left 11 people on. We had opportunities to win it, and it's unfortunate it came down to a wild pitch and the misplay at the plate.

On how Davis bounced back today: I thought she was tremendous. I think Erin Shireman has to get some credit for that. We looked at some film, and we talked a little bit about how you're not going to reinvent yourself completely, but on day two you've got to use some things to set up a little differently than day one. I thought they were masterful at that today.

On the home run from Celina Felix to give the early push against Tech: I think it was huge. Tech is really a momentum ball club. They come out, and they have a lot of energy on pitch one and try to get their runners in motion. They try to get you to rush up a little bit, and we talked a lot about that yesterday to. Slow it down, own the moment, and we keep the momentum on our side, and we keep control of that. I thought we were really good with that today.

On what it will take to clench the series: I would like us to put up a few more runs. We've seen Tech almost two full games now, and we haven't squared some balls up. I think we have some opportunities to put up some more runs.

Junior Pitcher Tiarra Davis

On refocusing today after last night's loss: I took a different mentality out there. I was just relaxing and letting my defense work behind me.

On the battle in the fourth inning: Honestly, I was just focusing on inducing ground balls and letting them hit into our defense, so they could make a play.

On the Celina Felix homer in the first inning: It was great. It is always better going out there knowing that you have some run support, you are not throwing when it is tied or you are down. It was good.

Junior Infielder Celina Felix

On Tiarra's pitching for the first Big 12 win: It is really big for us because we are behind her [Tiarra Davis] on defense, so just like Kristen [Clark] the other night, when she is confident, we are confident. And when we are confident, she is confident. We need each other to take care of business out there.

On the solo shot in the first inning to take the lead: It was nice. It felt good. We played them yesterday, and it felt good. I just wanted a hit.

On having a win in the conference: It feels good. This is my first conference win here. It feels good collectively. We are excited for the rest of the season. Starting off 0-2 against Baylor was not really us, so let's make this about us.