University of North Texas Athletics
Lawson Strikes Out Eight In Win Against Mavericks
3/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DENTON, Texas (3/17/09) Junior Kayla Lawson struck out a season-high eight batters to lead the North Texas softball team to an 8-1 victory against UTA on Tuesday night at Lovelace Stadium.
The Mean Green won its third straight game, improving to 15-10 overall, while UTA falls to 8-17. NT takes a 5-4 lead in the series against the Mavericks. The three-game winning streak ties a season high and the seven-run advantage was a season best.
“All parts of our game are working really well,” said North Texas head coach TJ Hubbard. “Our pitchers are doing a good job, and the offense is full-speed ahead.”
Lawson pitched her fifth complete game, earning her third victory of the season. She struck out a season-best eight batters, one shy of her career high. The junior gave up a solo home run in the second inning and then held the Mavericks scoreless the rest of the way.
After UTA took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, Jennifer Smith tied the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning. It was her first double of the season. Mariza Martinez gave North Texas a lead it would not relinquish with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Rebecca Waters followed with a double, and Sarah Jones brought her home with her own two-base hit. Waters leads the team with seven doubles, while Jones is tied for third with five.
North Texas sealed the win with a five-run sixth inning. Lisa Johnson started off with a two-run homer, her second long ball of the season. In her fourth career at-bat for North Texas, Jessica Lynn posted her first hit of the season; a home run. She becomes the second North Texas player this season and the third in school history to post a home run for her first hit of their Mean Green career. Jennifer Smith posted a home run against UTSA in her fourth at-bat, and Susan Waters hit a home run for her first hit as a freshman in 2004. The back-to-back home runs gave North Texas a 6-1 lead.
North Texas scored the last two runs off a Mavericks error. Lyndi Samuelson and Amber Miller also posted pinch-hit singles in the game. The Mean Green outhit UTA, 10-4, and six of the 10 hits were for extra bases.
North Texas faces Texas in Austin on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 pm.
The Mean Green won its third straight game, improving to 15-10 overall, while UTA falls to 8-17. NT takes a 5-4 lead in the series against the Mavericks. The three-game winning streak ties a season high and the seven-run advantage was a season best.
“All parts of our game are working really well,” said North Texas head coach TJ Hubbard. “Our pitchers are doing a good job, and the offense is full-speed ahead.”
Lawson pitched her fifth complete game, earning her third victory of the season. She struck out a season-best eight batters, one shy of her career high. The junior gave up a solo home run in the second inning and then held the Mavericks scoreless the rest of the way.
After UTA took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, Jennifer Smith tied the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning. It was her first double of the season. Mariza Martinez gave North Texas a lead it would not relinquish with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Rebecca Waters followed with a double, and Sarah Jones brought her home with her own two-base hit. Waters leads the team with seven doubles, while Jones is tied for third with five.
North Texas sealed the win with a five-run sixth inning. Lisa Johnson started off with a two-run homer, her second long ball of the season. In her fourth career at-bat for North Texas, Jessica Lynn posted her first hit of the season; a home run. She becomes the second North Texas player this season and the third in school history to post a home run for her first hit of their Mean Green career. Jennifer Smith posted a home run against UTSA in her fourth at-bat, and Susan Waters hit a home run for her first hit as a freshman in 2004. The back-to-back home runs gave North Texas a 6-1 lead.
North Texas scored the last two runs off a Mavericks error. Lyndi Samuelson and Amber Miller also posted pinch-hit singles in the game. The Mean Green outhit UTA, 10-4, and six of the 10 hits were for extra bases.
North Texas faces Texas in Austin on Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 pm.
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
Utility
/ SoftballThursday, March 26
Monday, March 16
Wednesday, March 04
Friday, February 20