The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Louisiana
No. 21/19 Softball preview: Louisiana
03.29.2022 | Softball
The Longhorns welcome in the Ragin' Cajuns for a high-profile mid-week match-up
No. 21/19 Texas (26-9-1) hosts Louisiana (20-8) | March 30 | Red & Charline McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
Schedule:
Wednesday, March 30
6 p.m. Louisiana vs. #21/19 TEXAS – LHN
Location: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Ticket Information: LINK
Live Stats: LINK
Television: The Louisiana game will be broadcast on Longhorn Network and WATCH ESPN with Alex Loeb (play-by-play) and Cat Osterman (analyst).
Radio: Texas' games this season are scheduled for radio broadcast via web stream with Andrew Haynes on the call via this LINK. The Texas broadcast can usually be heard locally on 105.3 FM as part of the Austin Radio Network supported by the flagship radio station of the Longhorns, 104.9 FM The Horn.
Base Knocks:
- Texas senior pitcher Hailey Dolcini was named both the Wilson/NFCA Division I National Pitcher of the Week & Big 12 Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week (March 29) after posting a 4-0 record last week with a miniscule 0.37 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 19 innings (12.53 K's-per-7 innings). Dolcini gave up just one earned run and four combined hits while limiting opponents to a .066 batting average. She's now won her last seven decisions dating back to March 12.
- The Longhorns currently rank No. 2 in NCAA Division I in total doubles with 62, trailing only North Dakota State (70). Mary Iakopo & Janae Jefferson lead Texas with 10 doubles each (tied for 28th in NCAA DI).
- Texas' current 16-game unbeaten streak marks the longest such skein for the Burnt Orange & White since winning 18 straight contests from March 9-April 10, 2011.
- Texas has opened Big 12 play at a perfect 3-0 for the 13th time in program history and for the fourth straight conference season (there was no Big 12 schedule in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic).
- The Longhorns currently rank No. 11 in the latest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) that's used as one of the tools to seed postseason play and are No. 17 in strength of schedule.
- Texas junior designated player McKenzie Parker has caught fire at the plate since returning from injury to the regular lineup on March 9. The Conroe, Texas, native is riding a 19-game reached base streak. Over the 19-game streak, Parker is hitting .377 with three doubles, four HR's & 21 RBIs.
- Texas has won five consecutive games against ranked opponents in a single season for the first time since Feb. 24-March 6, 2013.
- Texas senior second baseman Janae Jefferson continues to excel from the leadoff spot in the lineup as the three-time NFCA All-American is batting .467 as the leadoff of any inning in 2022, going 21-for-45 at the plate in those situations.
- Texas' defense has settled in since a tough night against UCF, posting a .972 fielding percentage while making just 19 total errors over the last 26 games (15 no-error efforts).
- Sophomore pitcher Estelle Czech has played a huge role in Texas' current 16-game unbeaten run, with a 5-0 record, a 2.77 ERA, two complete games and 33 K's over 35.1 innings while allowing a .228 batting average. Included are W's over North Texas, Drake, No. 23 Louisiana & No. 20/18 LSU (two).
- Look out for Texas' offense this season with two outs in an inning. In all, 83 of the Longhorns' 205 total RBIs (40%) have come with two outs, while 14 different Texas players have recorded at least one two-out RBI with junior designated player McKenzie Parker leading the way with 12.
