Softball opens Texas Invitational with a 2-1 victory over Indiana

Thursday, February 16

Austin, Texas

6 p.m.

University of Texas

4-2

Indiana

2-4

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

Softball opens Texas Invitational with a 2-1 victory over Indiana

02.16.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Senior shortstop Devon Tunning led the offense by going 2-for-2 with a double, HR and two RBIs

AUSTIN, Texas – A two-run, first-inning HR off the bat of senior shortstop Devon Tunning backed a complete-game effort from junior pitcher Kristen Clark as Texas softball (4-2) christened the Texas Invitational on Thursday night at Red & Charline McCombs Field with a 2-1 victory over Indiana (2-4)

Tunning powered the offense by going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a double, her team-leading second HR of the season, a walk and two RBIs. Senior center fielder Stephanie Wong walked to begin UT's initial at-bat and soon scored on Tunning's long ball, while sophomore right fielder Reagan Hathaway was 1-for-2 with a walk at the dish.

In the circle, Clark improved to 2-0 on the year, scattering six hits and allowing one earned run while walking two and striking out three over a complete-game effort.

"I thought (Kristen) did a great job tonight in just inducing contact," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "She only issued two walks tonight. That's something we talked about this week. She spins the ball so well and located it well. Indiana put the ball in play but weren't really able to square it up because Kristen spun it so well and got their timing off. I thought she stayed the course and attacked the strike zone. (Devon) just continues to see the ball so well. Her mechanics at the plate right now, she's just so quiet up there. She knows exactly what she's looking for and is seeing it exceptionally well."

Texas managed to nab an early lead against the Hoosiers during the bottom of the first via the long ball as Tunning followed Wong's lead-off walk by driving a two-run shot to left for a 2-0 advantage.

After leaving a pair of runners stranded during the opening frame, Indiana was quickly back in business in the second. Left fielder Aimilia McDonough blasted a towering shot to center that dropped in just short of the wall for a double. While attempting to stretch the play into a triple, however, the runner was cut down at third on a perfect relay from freshman center fielder Jade Gortarez to Tunning to senior third baseman Celina Felix to clear the base paths.

The Hoosiers got another threat underway with two retired in the top of the fourth as shortstop Rachel O'Malley singled and moved to second on catcher Bella Norton's walk. Clark escaped any potential jam by catching McDonough looking at a big strike three to conclude the inning.

A Tunning double and a Hathaway walk put two more aboard for the Longhorns in the bottom of the fifth, but the Burnt Orange & White couldn't add to their lead as a chopper back to the circle left two stranded.

The Hoosiers cut into their two-run deficit during the top of the sixth. With two outs, first baseman Taylor Uden got things started by singling down the right field line. O'Malley then stepped into the box and lifted a fly ball to left center that just escaped the glove of an on-the-run Wong for a double, plating Uden to make it 2-1.

With one final opportunity at the plate in the seventh, Indiana went down in order against Clark. The Richmond, Texas, native got a pop-up to short, struck out pinch hitter Sarah Thompson and induced a bouncer to second to seal the victory.