University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Softball Hosts Baylor Today
3/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DENTON, Texas (3/31/09) - The North Texas softball team plays its sixth Big XII opponent today when the Mean Green faces Baylor at home in a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 3 pm.
The Mean Green is currently 18-15 overall and 12-10 in non-conference play. The Bears are 25-12 this season and have received votes in the USA Today/NFCA Top 25 Poll this season.
Big XII Play
The Mean Green continued its play against Big XII opponents with a game against No. 6/8 OU last Wednesday. The Mean Green fell, 8-1, to the Sooners. NT is now 2-4 this year against Big XII opponents and 0-1 versus nationally-ranked teams. NT is 0-5 against the Bears, last losing 7-3 to Baylor in 2006.
Best Start In School History
The Mean Green is off to its best start in school history with an 18-15 mark. With five games this week, the Mean Green could become the fastest North Texas to reach 20 wins. The 2008 team reached 20 wins after 43 games.
Going Long
The Mean Green posted five home runs in four games this past week, including two by Jennifer Smith. Mariza Martinez hit her team-leading sixth home run to lead-off the first game of the doubleheader on Sunday. North Texas has hit 29 home runs this season. The team school record for home runs in a season is 44, set in 2006. The 2008 team came up just short with 43 home runs.
200 Home Runs
Jennifer Smith’s home run in the 6-2 loss to FIU had special significance. The sophomore’s home run was the 200th home run in school history. In the six years of the program’s existence, North Texas has compiled 200 home runs. North Texas has hit at least 42 home runs each year since 2006 and the current team is on pace to continue that pace. Next milestone? North Texas has stolen 198 bases in five-plus years.
Three Hits
Mariza Martinez went 3-for-4 in the 7-2 win against FIU on Sunday. She led off the game with a home run, followed it up with an RBI double in the second inning and then singled in the third inning. It was her second three-hit game of the season. She is second on the team in multi-hit games with eight.
Grimes Getting It Done
Freshman Caitlin Grimes started three of the four games this past week and posted three hits. She hit a pinch-hit home run in the opening game against FIU, hitting the first pitch she saw. She also went 2-for-3 in the 6-2 loss to the Golden Panthers. In 16 games, Grimes has gone 12-for-34 with three home runs and one double.
Smith At The Plate
Jennifer Smith started two games this week, hitting as well as pitching. She posted two home runs in seven at-bats. She has now hit three home runs in 25 at bats this season. The sophomore is tied for third on the team with three home runs.
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