The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Softball starts fall season with a 17-1 (10 inn.) rout of McLennan CC
10.02.2021 | Softball
Janae Jefferson and McKenzie Parker led the way with four hits each, while Lauren Burke had four RBIs
AUSTIN, Texas – On Saturday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball opened its 2021 fall campaign by banging out 21 total hits, including five of the extra-base variety, while rolling past McLennan Community College, 17-1 (10 inn.).
Major Players
Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (4-for-4, two doubles, three RBIs); junior shortstop McKenzie Parker (4-for-6, two runs, double, two RBIs); senior left fielder Lauren Burke (2-for-3, three runs, three-run HR, four RBIs); sophomore utility player Bree Cantu (1-for-1, walk, HR, RBI); freshman third baseman Mia Scott (2-for-6, two runs, RBI); sophomore second baseman Camille Corona (2-for-3, run RBI); sophomore center fielder Alyssa Popelka (2-for-4, RBI); sophomore catcher JJ Smith (1-for-3, RBI)
In the Circle
Junior right hander Shea O'Leary started the contest and allowed just one hit with two walks and three strikeouts over 3.0 shutout innings. Sophomore transfer Estelle Czech (3.0 IP, one hit, zero runs, two walks, three K's), freshman right hander Sophia Simpson (2.0 IP, two hits, one earned run, three walks, four K's) and junior transfer Logan Hulon (2.0 IP, zero hits, zero runs, one walk, two K's) all combined out of the bullpen to complete the final seven frames of work.
The Details
McLennan's offense wasted no time putting two on base in the top of the first as a lead-off single and a walk were sandwiched around two O'Leary strikeouts. UT's 6-2 hurler got out of danger, however, by inducing a check-swing roller up the first-base line as freshman Katie Cimusz made the routine play to end the threat.
Texas' offense roared to life in the bottom of the first, putting a six-spot on the board on seven total hits. Jefferson started things off with a lead-off double to right center before eventually scoring on a wild pitch. From there, singles by Scott, Parker (RBI), sophomore designated player Courtney Day and Burke (RBI) boosted the UT advantage to 4-0. The lead continued to expand from there as Jefferson registered her second hit of the frame with a two-RBI single just off the edge of the glove of a leaping MCC third baseman for two RBIs and a 6-0 lead.
In the second, the Longhorns added four more runs to make it 10-0 with the big blow coming on Burke's three-run blast down the right field line.
A Jefferson lead-off single, back-to-back doubles from Scott and Parker, a Cimusz sac fly and a Jefferson RBI base knock through the right side combined to plate four more in the third as the Burnt Orange & White boosted the gap further to 14-0.
Czech entered the circle for Texas for the first time starting the fourth and immediately made an impression by striking out the McLennan side.
The Highlassies stationed runners on the corners in the top of the fifth, but Czech escaped the jam on two K's and a pop-up to short.
Facing reliever Simpson in the top of the seventh, McLennan used a walk, a double down the left field line and a wild pitch to get on the board trailing, 14-1.
The Longhorns got the run right back in the bottom of the seventh as Cantu launched a lead-off solo HR out to right center to make it 15-1.
Two-out RBI singles from Popelka and Corona in the bottom of the ninth finalized the UT offensive output at 17 runs.
From there, Hulon finished off the victory from the circle by sitting the Highlassies down in order in the 10th.
2021 Texas Softball Fall Schedule
Sat., Oct. 2 McLennan Community College 4 p.m. CT TEXAS, 17-1
(10 innings)
Sun., Oct. 3 Texas Lutheran 5:30 p.m. CT McCombs Field
(10 innings)
Fri., Oct. 8 Grayson College 4:30 p.m. CT McCombs Field
Sun., Oct. 10 Texas State 2 p.m. CT McCombs Field
(10 innings)
Sun., Oct. 17 at Texas A&M 2 p.m. CT College Station, Texas
(10 innings)
Sat., Oct. 23 Temple College 12 p.m. CT McCombs Field
UTSA 2:30 p.m. CT McCombs Field
