The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
25-9-1, 0
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Kansas
10-17, 0
No. 24/23 Softball rolls past Kansas, 9-2
03.26.2022 | Softball
Senior pitcher Hailey Dolcini (11-3) earned the victory after allowing just one hit over 6.2 innings of work
LAWRENCE, Kan. – On Saturday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark, senior pitcher Hailey Dolcini allowed just one hit over 6.2 strong innings of work while helping No. 24/23 Texas softball (25-9-1, 2-0 Big 12) extend its unbeaten streak to a season-best 15 games through a 9-2 win over Kansas (10-17, 0-2 Big 12).
Notes
- Dolcini has allowed just five total hits and one earned run over her last 26.1 innings of work dating back to March 16 at No. 23/RV Louisiana. Over that stretch, she owns a 5-0 overall record with a miniscule 0.27 ERA & 41 strikeouts.
- With a first-inning walk, junior designated player McKenzie Parker stretched her reached base streak to 18 straight games.
- Dolcini's 10 strikeouts against Kansas marked the 19th time she's reached double figures for K's in her career combining stints at UC Riverside, Fresno State and Texas.
- The Longhorns are still riding a season-long 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) dating back to March 6.
- Texas has started a perfect 2-0 in Big 12 play for the fourth straight conference season dating back to 2018. There was no Big 12 schedule in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- With two HR's on Saturday, Texas has now hit at least two HR in a game nine times in 2022.
- Texas is now 44-14 all-time against Kansas, including a 22-10 mark on the road in Lawrence.
Major Players
Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-4, two runs, walk, HR, RBI); senior catcher Mary Iakopo (1-for-2, run, two walks, double, two RBIs); sophomore right fielder Courtney Day (1-for-2, run, HR, RBI); senior first baseman Lauren Burke (1-for-4, run, double, two RBIs); sophomore center fielder Alyssa Popelka (2-for-3)
In the Circle
Dolcini (11-3) earned the win after allowing no earned runs on one hit with two walks and 10 strikeouts over 6.2 innings of work. Freshman Sophia Simpson wrapped the game up with one-third of a frame of perfect relief.
The Details
Texas struck first with the benefit of a little Kansas assistance in the top of the first. After a leadoff single to right center by Jefferson, freshman third baseman Mia Scott stepped up and chopped a ball to short. KU's Ashlyn Anderson tried to get the lead runner but threw wide of the bag for an error as Jefferson raced around all the way from first to score. Following a Parker walk, Iakopo drove in a pair on a double to left to make it 3-0. The advantage soon expanded to 4-0 as sophomore shortstop Alyssa Washington lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right to plate Iakopo.
With two out in the top of the second, Jefferson made it 5-0 by blasting her first HR of the season out to right.
The Longhorns got another two-out blast in the top of the third as Day crushed the first pitch she saw from Kansas starter Katie Brooks out to center for a 6-0 advantage.
The Jayhawks utilized a Madison Hirsch leadoff walk and a wild pitch to station a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the third. Following a groundout, an errant pick-off throw to third allowed Hirsch the chance to scamper home with KU's first run. Anderson followed two batters later by hitting a solo HR to right center as Kansas cut its deficit to 6-2.
Dolcini quickly settled back into the circle as the Ferndale, Calif., product retired nine consecutive Jayhawks from the fourth through sixth innings with four K's.
Texas' offense got rolling again to add some valuable insurance in the top of the seventh. With Iakopo and Washington aboard on a walk and a single to short, respectively, Burke launched a two-RBI double to right center. Sophomore left fielder Bella Dayton soon stepped into the box and lifted a sacrifice fly to center to boost the gap to 9-2.
Facing one last chance in the bottom of the seventh, Kansas went down in order against a combo of Dolcini and Simpson to complete Texas' triumph.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dolcini, Hailey (11-3)
L: Brooks, K. (3-5)
Batting:
2B: Iakopo, Mary 1 ; Burke, Lauren 1 ; Smith, JJ 1
HR: Jefferson, Janae 1 ; Day, Courtney 1
RBI: Jefferson, Janae 1 ; Iakopo, Mary 2 ; Day, Courtney 1 ; Washington, Alyssa 1 ; Burke, Lauren 2 ; Dayton, Bella 1
SF: Washington, Alyssa 1 ; Dayton, Bella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, Janae 2 ; Scott, Mia 1 ; Parker, McKenzie 1 ; Iakopo, Mary 1 ; Day, Courtney 1 ; Gilbert, Lou 1 ; Washington, Alyssa 1 ; Burke, Lauren 1
SB: Parker, McKenzie 1 ; Popelka, Alyssa 2
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Batting:
HR: Anderson, A. 1
RBI: Anderson, A. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Anderson, A. 1 ; Hirsch, M. 1
