Texas defeated Temple College 7–0 Friday to start its fall season with a perfect 2–0 record.
The Longhorns were on a mission from the get-go. A laser down the left side by senior third baseman Celina Felix drove home a run in the first and put Texas on top early. Senior shortstop Devon Tunning brought in the second run of the game later in the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving Texas an early 2–0 lead.
“At that moment, you just have to execute,” Felix said. “I saw an opportunity because the pitch was there and I just swung hard at it.”
Texas’ freshmen provided another spark in the fourth as infielder Malory Schattle brought in a run off an RBI single. Outfielder Tuesday DerMargosian kept the momentum going in the same inning with an RBI single of her own, bringing in two runners and increasing the lead to 5-0.
“It says a lot about our freshmen that are stepping in, putting up runs and getting hits on the board,” senior pitcher Tiarra Davis said. “They’re adapting, playing into that team role and fitting in so well.”
The Longhorns continued to pile on the runs in the fifth. Junior catcher Randel Leahy brought a runner home with a deep shot down the middle of the field, followed by an RBI triple off the bat of freshman first baseman Kaitlyn Washington.
“I really thought we had a lot better flow this game,” head coach Connie Clark said. “We were more communicative and comfortable out there. That’s what really jumped out to me.”
Davis matched Texas’ offensive intensity with a stout pitching performance. The senior never eased up, allowing only one hit and recording nine strikeouts in a shutout performance.
“I just wanted to keep the pitch count down and let the defense work for me,” Davis said. “When your team is behind your back and supporting you, it takes a lot of stress off of the pitcher.”
Next on the fall schedule for Texas is a game against McLennan Community College on Oct. 27. Texas looks to keep its momentum going as the team tunes up for the spring.
“We’re going to approach it like every other game,” Felix said. “We have a winning mentality going in. We have to handle our business and prepare for these fall games like they’re in the spring.”
