Smiles were the most-worn accessory among those donning burnt orange at McCombs Field on Wednesday night as the No. 15 Texas Longhorns unleashed a dominant lineup to pummel the visiting UT Arlington Mavericks, 14-4.
The Lady Longhorns took the field hoping to fine-tune their operations ahead of a long break that will lead the nation’s top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners to McCombs field next Thursday, April 14. The depth of the Texas lineup has found success with the long-ball, but the Texas staff and fans alike have highlighted the Horns’ inability to ignite a consistent short game as a persistent concern. The Lady Longhorns quelled any doubt in their ability to produce consistent at-bats by posting a combined 1.400 on-base percentage via 25 at-bats and 14 hits throughout the five-inning run-rule victory.
Freshman right-hander, Sophia Simpson aimed to solidify her role as the Longhorns’ third arm with her start against the Mavericks Wednesday night. Simpson, who made history in February by recording the program’s 52nd no-hitter, fell behind early against a hungry UT Arlington lineup, giving up two runs and a walk in the top of the first. Fortunately, Texas barreled the ball throughout the first inning to even up the score once Mary Iakopo and Katie Cimusz knocked in Janae Jefferson and Mia Scott, respectively.
The Longhorns claimed the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Bella Dayton scorched a single down the line bring in JJ Smith. Texas hitters continued to chip away at UT Arlington starter, Jessica Adams until the scoreboard grew lopsided in favor of Coach White’s squad, 6-2.
The Mavericks responded with a run of their own in the top of the third, cutting the Texas lead in half. While UT Arlington added another run in the fourth inning, their stale hits were too few to overcome the Burnt Orange Bombers, who stockpiled three runs in the third inning and four in the fourth to claim a 14-4 lead.
Senior Janae Jefferson went 3-for-3 at the plate while freshman Mia Scott earned four of the team’s 11 RBIs on the night. Texas’s younger sluggers continued to enjoy success with the bat as sophomore Courtney Day had the only home run of the night. Freshman Mia Scott and sophomore JJ Smith each added to the Longhorns’ extra-base totals with doubles.
In one of several bright moments for the Longhorns, freshman pinch-hitter Vanessa Quiroga utilized one swing to tally her first career hit and first career RBI. Quiroga’s RBI scored the 14th run for Texas, adding insurance for Simpson as she looked to turn out the lights on the Mavericks’ bats with the run-rule coming into effect in the fifth inning.
Despite loading the bases in the fifth, Sophia Simpson went on to pitch a complete game in the shortened matchup, bringing the Texas program’s win total to 30 on the season. Simpson’s final line included three earned runs and five walks on 111 pitches. The right-hander faced 27 batters while permitting five walks and striking out seven.
Reprieve is on the horizon for the Lady Longhorns as they embrace six days of rest before hosting the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners for a thrilling three-game series set to begin at 6:00 pm CT on Thursday, April 14. Those unable to visit McCombs Field for the rivalry series can catch the televised action on the Longhorn Network or listen to the audible excitement by tuning into 105.3 FM.
