The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
5-0
#RV California
3-3
No. 11 Softball hits double-digits in 10-0 (5 inn.) win over California
02.14.2019 | Softball
The Longhorns have now run-ruled four of their five opponents to open the 2019 campaign
CLEARWATER, Fla. – On a beautiful Thursday afternoon in St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational action at the Eddie C. Moore Complex, No. 11/12 Texas softball (5-0) banged out 11 total hits, including four of the extra base variety, to back junior pitcher Miranda Elish's second consecutive shutout while blowing past California (3-3), 10-0 (5 inn.).
After registering just five run-rule victories all of last season, the Burnt Orange & White have already run-ruled four of their first five opponents to begin 2019 and are averaging 8.4 runs-per-game.
UT scored in four of five innings, led by a 3-for-3, two-run, two-RBI effort from sophomore second baseman Janae Jefferson, a 2-for-4, double, two-RBI performance from junior first baseman Kaitlyn Washington and a 1-for-2, two-run HR (her first HR at Texas), three-RBI game from junior left fielder Shannon Rhodes. Junior third baseman Malory Schattle (1-for-1, run, double) and sophomore designated player Lauren Burke (1-for-2, triple) contributed Texas' other extra-base hits.
In the circle for the Horns, Elish stretched her consecutive scoreless inning string to 11.0 to open the season, improving to 2-0 overall after allowing three hits, walking one and striking out five in a complete game.
Texas jumped on Cal pitcher Zoe Conley right from the start with a little help from the Golden Bears defense. After redshirt junior center fielder Reagan Hathaway (0-for-1, two runs, three walks) led off with a walk, Jefferson bunted a ball towards third that was thrown away to first for an error putting Longhorns at the corners. A successful double steal later, and the Burnt Orange & White held a 1-0 advantage. Rhodes followed two batters later with a RBI groundout to double the lead.
The bottom of the first inning could have been prosperous for Cal if not for a huge pick-off by Texas sophomore catcher Mary Iakopo (1-for-3). With shortstop Lindsay Rood on base via error to begin the half-inning, UT's backstop caught the runner straying too far from the bag for the first out. That proved to be a huge play as left fielder Amani Bradley walked and right fielder Mikayla Coelho followed with a double to left. With Golden Bears stationed at second and third with one out, Elish got out of the jam on a strikeout and a bouncer back to the circle.
Cal managed lead-off doubles to begin both its second and third innings of work, but couldn't string anything together against Texas' right-handed starter as Elish utilized three total K's to get out of more danger.
The Longhorns used the long ball to take a 4-0 lead in the top of the third as Rhodes followed up a Washington base knock by driving her first career Texas HR off the ESPN camera scaffolding in center.
The Burnt Orange & White blew things open in the top of the fourth as a Jefferson RBI single and a two-run Washington double into the right center gap boosted the advantage to 7-0.
With Elish in the process of retiring Cal in order during the fourth and fifth frames, the Longhorns put three more up in the top of the fifth. A wild pitch plated senior pinch runner Ki'Audra Hayter from third, Schattle knocked in a run on a two-bagger to left center and Jefferson knocked in another on a single to left to finalize the count at 10-0.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Elish, Miranda (2-0)
L: Conley, Zoe (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Washington, Kaitlyn 1 ; Schattle, Malory 1
3B: Burke, Lauren 1
HR: Rhodes, Shannon 1
RBI: Jefferson, Janae 2 ; Washington, Kaitlyn 2 ; Rhodes, Shannon 3 ; Schattle, Malory 1
SH: Jefferson, Janae 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hathaway, Reagan 2 ; Jefferson, Janae 2 ; Washington, Kaitlyn 1 ; Rhodes, Shannon 1 ; Hayter, Ki'Audra 1 ; Tedder, MK 1 ; Slack, Kaitlyn 1 ; Schattle, Malory 1
SB: Hathaway, Reagan 1 ; Jefferson, Janae 1 ; Hayter, Ki'Audra 1
HBP: Rhodes, Shannon 1
Batting:
2B: Rood, Lindsay 1 ; Coelho, Mikayla 1 ; Espalin, Lauren 1
SH: Sparacino, Karlee 1
Base Running:
HBP: Blueford, Destiny 1
PO: Rood, Lindsay 1
