No. 11/9 Softball battles past McNeese State in home opener, 8-4

Wednesday, February 16

Austin, Texas

4 p.m. CT

University of Texas

5-1

McNeese State

5-1

McNeese State

Texas

No. 11/9 Softball battles past McNeese State in home opener, 8-4

02.16.2022 | Softball

Box Score

Freshman third baseman Mia Scott tied a school single-game record with two triples in her collegiate debut

AUSTIN, Texas – On Wednesday night in the 2022 home opener at Red & Charline McCombs Field, freshman pitcher Sophia Simpson struck out nine in her debut, the offense banged out 11 total hits and freshman third baseman Mia Scott tied a school single-game record with two triples as No. 11/9 Texas softball (5-1) handed McNeese State (5-1) its first loss, 8-4.

Important Notes

In her collegiate debut, freshman third baseman Mia Scott registered two triples to tie the school single-game record held by former Longhorns Lexy Bennett (2012), Brejae Washington (2011) & Shannon Thomas (2006).
Texas improved to 23-3 all-time in home openers and has now won its last eight in a row.
Rookie pitcher Sophia Simpson struck out nine while winning her collegiate debut on the Forty Acres.
The Longhorns are now 3-0 all-time against McNeese State, including a 2-0 mark in Austin.
Since the arrival of head coach Mike White, Texas is now 86-9 when scoring first and 52-8 when scoring in the first inning.
Sophomore transfer outfielder Bella Dayton tied her career-high with two hits in a 2-for-3, two-run, stolen base effort.

Major Players

Freshman third baseman Mia Scott (2-for-3, two runs, two triples, RBI); senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-3, two runs, double, RBI); sophomore designated player Courtney Day (1-for-4, run, double, two RBIs); sophomore right fielder Jordyn Whitaker (2-for-2, RBI); sophomore center fielder Bella Dayton (2-for-3, two runs); senior first baseman Mary Iakopo (2-for-3, run)

In the Circle

Freshman Sophia Simpson (1-0) picked up her first collegiate victory after allowing one earned run, walking two and striking out nine over 4.1 innings. Sophomore Logan Hulon allowed one hit over 2.0 frames of relief, while sophomore reliever Estelle Czech permitted two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

The Details

Jefferson got the Texas offense off to a quick start during the bottom of the first by singling to left center. Following a sac bunt and a failed fielder's choice attempt, a double steal and a McNeese State throwing error provided the Longhorns with a 1-0 advantage. From there, an Iakopo single, another Cowgirl fielding miscue and Whitaker's RBI base knock to right set the lead at 3-0.

Simpson was cruising early from the circle, striking out five of the first seven McNeese State batters she faced over the opening two frames.

Texas added two more runs in the bottom of the second as Day launched a two-run double to the wall in right to make it 5-0.

McNeese State finally strung together a threat against Simpson in the fourth, loading the bases with one out on the strength of two singles and a walk. UT's freshman hurler battled her way out of danger, however, with a K and a fielder's choice bouncer to third.

Scott soon made her presence felt for the Burnt Orange & White in the bottom of the fourth by blasting a two-out triple to right center and eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

The Cowgirls knocked Simpson out of the game in the top of the fifth as a walk, two singles and a UT fielding error plated two to cut the MSU deficit to 6-2. Hulon was summoned into the circle in relief and needed just one pitch to coerce an inning-ending double play.

Texas picked up two big insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth behind another two-out rally. A Dayton single, a Jefferson RBI double and Scott's second triple combined to boost the gap to 8-2.

McNeese State continued to battle in the top of the seventh as a UT error opened the door for two unearned runs to score. Czech eventually finished things off by inducing a fly out to right to finalize the 8-4 triumph.