The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 3/2 Softball preview: at UCF
03.21.2024 | Softball
Texas to make first-ever trip to UCF Softball Complex for a conference series
ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Texas softball program will continue its adventures throughout the Sunshine State this week as the Longhorns travel down to Orlando from Tallahassee to play a three-game Big 12 Conference series at UCF that begins at 5 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET on Friday, March 22.
Television: Eric Lopez (play by play) and Alex Powers (analyst) will call the series' action on ESPN+.
Radio: Andrew Haynes can be heard with the series radio call at https://texas.leanplayer.com/.
LEADING OFF
- When the two softball programs take the field at UCF Softball Complex, it'll mark the first-ever softball game between Texas and UCF at either's designated home stadium.
- The only previous meeting between the two programs occurred on Feb. 19, 2022, when the Knights earned a 15-10 come-from-behind win over the Longhorns in Clearwater, Fla.
- As a result of her four-RBI performance against Florida State in Tallahassee on Tuesday night, Texas sophomore catcher Reese Atwood became the first student-athlete in program history to reach the 50-RBI plateau in a single season in under 100 official plate appearances.
- Reese Atwood, 2024 – 85
- Lindsey Stephens, 2014 – 131*
- Shannon Rhodes, 2021 – 132
- Lexy Bennett, 2012 – 135
- Taylor Thom, 2013 – 136*
- Mary Iakopo, 2022 – 151
- Viviana Martinez, 2023 – 175
- Loryn Johnson, 2009 – 181
- Stephens and Thom are tied for the program's single-season RBI record with 66, which they achieved in 178 and 186 official at bats, respectively.
- Not only would a win over UCF in the opening game of the series continue pace with the 2021 team for the best start to a season under sixth-year head coach Mike White, a three-game sweep over the Knights would keep pace as well.
- The 2021 squad had a 25-3 mark through the season's first 28 games and went on to add six more wins to that record (31-3) before suffering its next loss.
- After moving back into the leadoff spot in the batting lineup on March 1 following a one-off stint there on Feb. 23, Kayden Henry is slashing .429/.481/.776 with a team-high 21 hits and 18 runs scored with 11 stolen bases.
- During the 14-game span since Henry has moved back into the leadoff spot, Texas has a 12-2 record and has outscored its opponents 130-34 with six run-rule victories.
- The Texas pitching staff and defense have combined to not allow a run to score of the program's last 13.2 innings played on a softball diamond.
- The consecutive scoreless inning streak is the longest by the Longhorns since tossing 20.2 straight scoreless frames from Friday, March 1, 2024 against Northwestern State to Monday, March 4, 2024 against Penn State.
- The program has had a second 20-plus scoreless inning streak this season from Wednesday, Feb. 21 against Houston Christian to Saturday, Feb. 24 against then-No. 13/12 Stanford.
- A seven-inning complete game shutout by the Longhorn staff during the first game of Texas' weekend series at UCF would match the longest streak of consecutive scoreless innings tossed this season.
- The consecutive scoreless inning streak is the longest by the Longhorns since tossing 20.2 straight scoreless frames from Friday, March 1, 2024 against Northwestern State to Monday, March 4, 2024 against Penn State.
FOLLOW US
- For the latest information on the team, follow @TexasSoftball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @TexasLonghorns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
