The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
19-2, 0
Houston
17-5, 0
No. 2/1 Softball drops back-and-forth road affair
03.08.2024 | Softball
Eight-run bottom of the fourth dooms Texas against Houston
HOUSTON, Texas – In the first-ever softball matchup between Texas and Houston as Big 12 Conference opponents, the Cougars capitalized on two Longhorn errors in the bottom of the fourth to take Friday's contest, 12-10.
After Texas responded from a four-run bottom of the first from Houston with seven combined runs across the game's third and fourth innings to take a 7-4 lead, the Cougars sent 13 batters to the plate throughout the bottom of the fourth. Despite the inning opening with a five-pitch walk, UH was on the verge of being down to its final out of the inning during the next at bat but a muffed throw to first on a potential around-the-horn double play sparked the lengthy inning.
Back-to-back hit by pitches loaded the bases before a Longhorn throwing error to first base allowed a runner to score. A one-out single to left field plated another run, before a second throwing error allowed two more runners to touch home and give Houston an 8-7 lead. Four pitches later, a 1-2 pitch was sent over the left-center field fence for a three-run home run to propel the Cougars out to an 11-7 lead after entering the inning trailing by three.
Texas attempted its second come-from-behind effort on the night with a three-run top of the third that was highlighted by run-scoring doubles from Mia Scott and Reese Atwood and combined with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Alyssa Washington, who pushed the Longhorns ahead 5-4 with a solo home run earlier in the contest. However, with the game-tying run at the dish in the sixth, UT was unable to bring any more runs across.
GAME NOTES
- The 22 combined runs between the two teams on Friday night were the most by the two programs in a softball game since Texas beat Houston, 13-12, on April 1, 2015 in Houston.
- In addition to Friday evening's offensive outburst, the previously mentioned 2015 matchup was the only other time both teams scored 10-or-more runs in a game throughout the series history.
- With her three-run home run in the bottom of the third, first-year Longhorn Joley Mitchell connected for her 20th career collegiate home run, joining Reese Atwood (21) as the only active Texas softball student-athletes with 20-or-more career collegiate home runs.
- Courtesy of her third-inning, three-run home run, Joley Mitchell matched her season high with three runs batted in (RBI) in a single season.
- By drawing a one-out, four-pitch walk in the top of third, Mia Scott extended her on-base streak to 10 consecutive games, joining Katie Stewart (18) and Reese Atwood (13) as the only Texas softball student-athletes to successfully reach base in 10-or-more straight games.
- Friday night's game marked the first time this season that Texas has lost a game while hitting two-or-more home runs throughout the contest.
- Heading into the game, the Longhorns were 8-0 in games this season when hitting two-or-more home runs.
- As a result on Friday's outcome, Texas drops to 4-1 all time in Big 12 Conference openers under sixth-year head coach Mike White.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Big 12 Conference play did not happen during the 2020 season.
UP NEXT
- Texas (19-2, 0-1) will look to rebound from Friday night's outcome when the Longhorns and Cougars (17-5, 1-0) tangle, again, at Cougar Softball Stadium at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith,Shelby (9-2)
L: Czech, Estelle (3-2)
S: Lehman,Paris (2)
Batting:
2B: Scott, Mia 1 ; Mitchell, Joley 1 ; Atwood, Reese 1 ; Dayton, Bella 1
HR: Henry, Kayden 1 ; Mitchell, Joley 1 ; Washington, Alyssa 1
RBI: Henry, Kayden 3 ; Scott, Mia 1 ; Mitchell, Joley 3 ; Atwood, Reese 1 ; Washington, Alyssa 2
SF: Washington, Alyssa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Henry, Kayden 2 ; Scott, Mia 2 ; Mitchell, Joley 2 ; Washington, Alyssa 1 ; Dayton, Bella 3
SB: Henry, Kayden 1 ; Mitchell, Joley 1
HBP: Atwood, Reese 1
Batting:
2B: Thomas,Kennedy 1
HR: Beautae,Lair 1 ; Rollin,Jazmyn 2 ; Coleman,Turiya 1
RBI: Beautae,Lair 2 ; Thomas,Kennedy 1 ; Rollin,Jazmyn 5 ; Coleman,Turiya 1 ; Smith,Shelby 1 ; Carden,Amanda 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Beautae,Lair 2 ; Thomas,Kennedy 2 ; Rollin,Jazmyn 2 ; Cantu,Bree 1 ; Coleman,Turiya 1 ; Wilkins,Jordee 1 ; Thomas,Ja'Naiya 1 ; Esman,Mandy 1 ; Carden,Amanda 1
SB: Thomas,Kennedy 1
HBP: Thomas,Ja'Naiya 1 ; Esman,Mandy 1
