No. 2/2 Texas softball resumed its winning streak with a 7-0 shutout victory over Colorado State, following their earlier-in-the-evening 5-0 victory over the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Head Coach Mike White stated, “We had periods where we did really well and other times we struggled a little bit.” “We must always be prepared for tomorrow and there is always something to learn from the games.”
The leadoff hitter, rookie outfielder Kayden Henry, started things off with a base hit to right field.
Reese Atwood, a sophomore catcher, was under pressure as she went up to the bat after two outs on balls that bounced up in the infield.
But Atwood scored a home run to left field on just the second pitch, making the score 2-0.
Atwood hadn’t finished for the evening.
Atwood was the first batter of the third inning.
He swung the bat ferociously, sending the ball over the wall and into centerfield.
Atwood explained, “In that situation, (I was) just getting a base hit to score my teammates, just so we can get a run and start the game off strong.
” Following Atwood’s lone home run in the third inning, the squad as a whole accelerated.
Joley Mitchell, a senior infielder, got a base hit and saw a chance to steal second base.
Viviana Martinez, a sophomore shortstop, took the field with Mitchell on second.
A ball that Martinez hit into center field fell in front of the outfield player.
But the centerfielder mishandled the ball as he attempted to collect it, letting Mitchell score.
Colorado purposefully walked Atwood when she made her way to the plate in the bottom of the fifth.
She’s swinging it beautifully right now, of course, and she eventually managed to take a purposeful stroll outside, according to White.
“We simply have to maintain her in this locked-in state that she is in.
She’s hitting the ball really well and playing excellent defense for us.
Victoria Hunter, a rookie infielder, too had her opportunity to shine.
Hunter faced the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
The score increased to 7-0 after Hunter secured a hit just inside the foul line despite intense pressure on the Houston product.
This allowed all three men on base to score.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Hunter took the mound again.
Hunter blasted the ball toward left field instead of over the wall.
The Rams had an opportunity to tie the game in the eighth inning when junior right-hand pitcher Sophia Simpson mishandled a pop fly, but the Longhorn defense held them scoreless.
The pitching team had a major role in that triumph as well.
“Obviously, Mac Morgan did a good job there and started taking advantage, but (our) defense is coming through,” White remarked.
Mac Morgan, a junior right-hand pitcher, faced 20 batters and threw 85 pitches in five innings without giving up a run.
against Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the Longhorn pitching staff will take against Colorado State one more.
At 7 p.m., they will play No. 13/12 Stanford.
