The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Iowa State
No. 21/19 Softball preview: vs. Iowa State
03.31.2022 | Softball
The Longhorns open the Big 12 home schedule by hosting the Cyclones
No. 21/19 Texas (26-10-1, 3-0 Big 12) hosts Iowa State (19-13, 0-0 Big 12) | April 1-3 | Red & Charline McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
Schedule:
Friday, April 1
6 p.m. Iowa State vs. #21/19 TEXAS – LHN
Saturday, April 2
1 p.m. Iowa State vs. #21/19 TEXAS – LHN
Sunday, April 3
12 p.m. Iowa State vs. #21/19 TEXAS – LHN
Location: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Ticket Information: LINK
Live Stats: LINK
Television: All three games 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 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).
- 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 .478 as the leadoff of any inning in 2022, going 22-for-46 at the plate in those situations.
- Jefferson has really been on a tear offensively over the last 17 games, hitting .466 (27-for-58) with six extra-base hits, eight walks, 13 RBIs and a .522 OBP. During that stretch, her overall batting average for 2022 has climbed from .311 to .387.
- The Longhorns have had plenty of success this season with the bases loaded, hitting .467 as a team (14-for-30) in such situations. Sophomore shortstop Alyssa Washington leads the way with three bases loaded hits (3-for-5, .600).
- Texas junior DP 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 career-long 20-game reached base streak. Over the 20-game streak, Parker is hitting .368 with four doubles, four HR's & 22 RBIs.
- 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.
- The Longhorns ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division I in total doubles with 63 (as of March 29), trailing only North Dakota State (70). Mary Iakopo & Janae Jefferson lead Texas with 10 doubles each (tied for 28th in NCAA DI).
- 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 won seven of her last eight decisions dating back to March 12.
- Texas' recent 16-game unbeaten streak marked the longest skein for the Burnt Orange & White since winning 18 straight contests from March 9-April 10, 2011.
- Texas has won five consecutive games against ranked opponents in a single season for the first time since Feb. 24-March 6, 2013.
- Texas' defense has settled in since a tough night against UCF, posting a .969 fielding percentage while making just 22 total errors over the last 27 games (15 no-error efforts).
- Sophomore pitcher Estelle Czech has played a big role in Texas' recent success, 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, 86 of the Longhorns' 209 total RBIs (41%) 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 13.
- The Longhorns are off to a fast start in 2022 as far as stolen bases go. Texas' 67 steals are the most over the first 37 games of a season since the 2014 Texas squad swiped 62 bags over that same stretch.
