University of Louisville
Texas
Softball Falls to No. 15 Texas 6-2
February 10, 2011 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - - The University of Louisville softball team fell 6-2 to host 15th ranked Texas Thursday in the season-opener for both teams at the Texas Invitational.
"We faced a great team tonight," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "Texas has a powerful offense and an All-American pitcher, it was a tough opener. We made some great defensive plays, but we needed to swing the bat better and for our pitching to be a little more aggressive."
The teams played through two scoreless innings before Taylor Hoagland and Lexy Bennett registered back-to-back home runs to give Texas a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third.
The Longhorns added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Nadia Taylor led off with a double that fell just inside the left field line and took third on Amy Hooks' base hit. A wild pitch sent Taylor home and Hooks scored on Torie Schmidt's RBI single to make the score 4-0.
Louisville got on the scoreboard with freshman Maggie Ruckenbrod's two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Freshman Katie Keller beat shortstop Taylor Thom's throw for an infield single to set up Ruckebrod's towering shot over the left center fence to pull the Cards within two runs. Jordan Trimble and Alicja Wolny drew back-to-back walks to place the tying run at first with two outs, but Texas ace Blair Luna delivered her 12th strikeout to end the threat.
Texas tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hoagland drew a two-out walk. Bennett and Taylor singled to load the bases. A wild pitch sent Hoagland home to make it a 5-2 game. A bases-loaded walk scored Bennett, increasing the lead to 6-2.
The Cards had an early chance to score in the top of the third when Colby Wherry led off with a single and Jennifer Esteban followed with a walk. Katie Keller's groundout moved the runners to place them on second and third with two outs. Texas shortstop Taylor Thom's diving catch and throw saw Maggie Ruckenbrod out at first on a close play to stave off the scoring opportunity.
Tori Collins (0-1) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on four hits in two innings of work. Chelsea Leonard surrendered four earned runs and struck out three in 3.1 innings.
Blaire Luna (1-0) gave up two earned runs on four hits and struck out 13 en route to the complete game win. Bennett and Taylor each had three hits to pace the Longhorns (1-0).
U of L (0-1) will face Northern Illinois Saturday at 5 p.m. (Eastern).
