Softball blanks No. 20/18 LSU in series opener, 3-0

Friday, March 18

Austin, Texas

6 p.m. CT

University of Texas

19-9-1

#20/18 LSU

20-8

LSU

Texas

Softball blanks No. 20/18 LSU in series opener, 3-0

03.18.2022 | Softball

Box Score

Texas sophomore pitcher Estelle Czech struck out five in a complete-game shutout

AUSTIN, Texas – On Friday night in front of 1,212 fans at Red & Charline McCombs Field, sophomore pitcher Estelle Czech was dominant in firing a three-hit shutout to lead Texas softball (19-9-1) past No. 20/18 LSU (20-8) in the opener of a three-game series, 3-0.

Notes

Texas is now unbeaten over its last nine games (8-0-1) dating back to March 6 and has now registered three wins over ranked teams (two at No. 23/RV Louisiana, vs. No. 20/18 LSU) in the last three days.
Texas' defense has posted a combined .978 fielding percentage over its last 19 games with 12 no-error efforts.
By going 1-for-1 with a walk against LSU, junior shortstop McKenzie Parker is now riding a 12-game reached base streak and a career-long eight-game hitting streak.
Czech tossed the first seven-inning complete-game shutout of her career in Friday's win over LSU. During her 2021 campaign at N.C. State, Czech tossed a seven-inning complete game against North Carolina but allowed two unearned runs in a 4-2 victory.
Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson tied a career-high for hits with a perfect 3-for-3 performance on Friday while raising her season multi-hit game total to a team-best 10.

Major Players

Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (3-for-3, RBI); sophomore right fielder Courtney Day (1-for-2, double, two RBIs); senior catcher Mary Iakopo (2-for-2, run, double); sophomore designated player McKenzie Parker (1-for-1, walk)

In the Circle

Sophomore left-hander Estelle Czech (7-1) picked up the win by tossing a dominant, three-hit complete-game shutout with one walk and five strikeouts.

The Details

Texas put two aboard against LSU starter Ali Kilponen in the bottom of the first as Jefferson and Parker each singled. Unfortunately, with runners at second and third, a fly out to center left the duo stranded.

A one-out double down the right field line from Tiger left fielder Ali Newland got LSU in business in the top of the second. Czech proved up to the early task, however, ending the frame on a pop-up to second and her second K of the inning.

The Longhorns threatened again in the bottom of the second as walks to Day & sophomore center fielder Alyssa Popelka put two on with two down. This time, Texas grabbed the lead as Jefferson stepped in the box and drove a clutch RBI single up the middle to make it 1-0.

After LSU left a runner stranded in scoring position in the top of the third, the Burnt Orange & White added two more in the bottom half to grab a 3-0 advantage. Parker walked and Iakopo doubled to right to open the frame, necessitating a call to the Tiger bullpen as Shelbi Sunseri came on in relief of Kilponen. The new hurler induced a pop-up for the first out of the frame, but then allowed a two-RBI Day double to right center.

LSU advanced a runner into scoring position with two outs in the top of the fourth, but that was all the Tigers would get the rest of the way as Czech retired the last 11 batters of the game to seal the victory.