Second Texas Softball took the final two games of the Longhorn Invitational, beating South Florida 9-1 and Alabama A&M 8–0 in five innings.
Although Texas’ offense got off to a slow start yesterday, the Longhorns found a hit rhythm early in both Sunday’s game.
At the second bottom against South Florida, Texas took a 2-0 lead after alumni infielder Jolie Mitchell passed the Bulls pitcher and hit a bunt, allowing junior catcher Reese Atwood to return home. Sophomore infielder Katie Stewart slid around the house after a mistake between the outfield and the catcher.
The Bulls remained scoreless throughout the first three innings against sophomore pitcher Tegan Kaban. After a Saturday afternoon star, Bagan got off to a non-characteristic start on Sunday and quickly walked South Florida alumni infielder Alana Rivera. Atwood noticed something was off and asked for a small chat in the circle to calm the sophomore.
Pace split paid dividends when Bag’s strikeout ended the innings. It was then almost lit for the star pitcher, avoiding some defensive errors and allowing only one run and three hits while pitching four strikeouts.
The Longhorns continued to show off their batting strength at the bottom of the three innings. After a quiet weekend, Atwood reverted to form with his 40th career blast, a two-run homer, and expanded his lead to 4-0.
The Bulls were only found at the fourth top and offensive moments. After junior utility Leighann Goode made an inaccurate throw to Mitchell on 1 base, South Florida senior outfielder Allana Consolazio ran to 2 bases and managed to get home after a few pop fries. The bass was loaded at some point, but Bagh kept her calm and pitched a pop fly and ended the only inning that the Bulls scored.
Texas’ batting continued to hit South Florida from the bottom of the fifth inning, extending the lead with five runs.
Sophomore infielder Victoria Hunter lasered a double to the left and brought Good home. Senior utility Miascott then scored a single to the right, with redshirt junior outfielders Ashton Maloney and Hunter able to score. Atwood’s groundout was brought to another management by sophomore outfielder Kayden Henry, who tucked an RBI single to push the lead to 9-1, sealing the victory.
Just 20 minutes later, the next game was another day at the Longhorns office. Senior pitcher McMorgan shut out the Bulldogs and threw four strikeouts and allowed only one.
“(Morgan) is like a bulldog mentality,” Kaban said. “She’s very competitive, so I think that’s what I saw from her. …She’s going, it’s going to get in there soon.”
The Texas offense straightened to work at the bottom first, raising three runs. Scott hit a single to the right and Maloney scored. Atwood quickly destroyed the second 2runhomer of the day, in the usual way.
At the second bottom, Texas took advantage of a serious error from the Bulldogs’ defense. Maloney’s bunt singles and a volatile throw from outfielder to catcher allowed her to move on to third. The exact same error by Alabama A&M on the next play led to Maloney scoring and Henry in second place. Scott then hit the RBI. This led to Henry getting a run to extend the lead on two runs.
After three scoreless innings, Texas tacked on another run in the fourth, with Henry taking second place on Scott’s pop fly, and later scoring. The Longhorns added two more times when Maloney’s double double drove for junior utility Cady Bennett, sealing off the 8–0 run rule victory.
“Why isn’t (Maloney) a national?” Director Mike White said. “She plays the outfield really well, so I’m looking for her to have that groundbreaking season (and) get the infamous she really deserves.”
The Longhorns will improve to 20-1 as they head towards the final stretch of the non-conference season, returning to Red & Charleinma Combsfield on Wednesday, facing old conference opponent Baylor.
