University of North Texas
27-19, 14-6
Memphis
5-36, 1-19
Offense Explodes as Softball Collects Shutout
4/20/2024 5:42:00 PM | Softball
The Mean Green post 12 run first inning for largest scoring inning in program history
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – UNT softball matched its largest scoring output of the season in a 15-0 win over Memphis on Saturday at Tiger Softball Complex. North Texas set the single-inning program record with 12 runs in the first inning, 11 of which came with zero outs.
"Today we wanted to get off to a good start," head coach Rodney DeLong said. "Work the count a little bit, make her throw pitches and hit the ball down. Yesterday, we flighted the ball a little too much but today we did a good job of hitting the ball on a line and hitting the ball down. We put early pressure on them and that's what we're always trying to do."
The Mean Green (27-19, 14-6) matched the third-largest margin of victory in program history after posting its 12th shutout of the season to tie the all-time program record. UNT tallied six stolen bases against the Tigers (5-36, 1-19) for the highest mark of the season, tied for seventh in program history.
Starting pitcher Skylar Savage (W, 7-8) gave up one hit and zero walks over four innings of work. She registered a season-high mark of seven strikeouts and posted her fifth scoreless outing of four or more innings.
"My offense gave me a lot of cushion," Savage said. "[Even though] there is a lot of cushion, I still need to do my job."
The first double-digit scoring inning of the DeLong era featured Cierra Simon pushing the first run home with an RBI single. Later in the frame, she ripped her fourth triple of the season into right-center field and scored two more runs before the first out was recorded. Simon finished 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and one walk.
Kat Ibarra shined from the No. 9 spot in the order with her second three-hit performance of the season. She also collected season-high totals with three RBI and two stolen bases while adding a run scored.
Entering as a pinch hitter, Saleen Donohoe tallied her third multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-2 line and matched her career high of two runs scored. She added an RBI on a fifth-inning double.
Mackenzie Childers finished the final inning of the game and recorded two strikeouts. She ranks fifth in single-season UNT history with her rate of 8.44 strikeouts per seven innings.
UP NEXT
North Texas wraps up its American Athletic Conference series versus Memphis at Tiger Softball Complex on Sunday at noon. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Savage, Skylar (7-8)
L: T. Brown (3-15)
Batting:
2B: Smith, Mikayla 1 ; Donohoe, Saleen 1
3B: Simon, Cierra 1
RBI: Medford, Morgan 1 ; Cobb, Lexi 1 ; Simon, Cierra 3 ; Smith, Mikayla 2 ; Rainey, Molly 1 ; Christensen, Kalei 1 ; Sparks, Tatum 1 ; Donohoe, Saleen 1 ; Ibarra, Kat 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Medford, Morgan 2 ; Cobb, Lexi 2 ; Simon, Cierra 2 ; Smith, Mikayla 1 ; Gamble, Kailey 1 ; Rainey, Molly 1 ; Christensen, Kalei 1 ; Epperson, Jodie 1 ; Sparks, Tatum 1 ; Donohoe, Saleen 2 ; Ibarra, Kat 1
SB: Medford, Morgan 2 ; Cobb, Lexi 1 ; Sparks, Tatum 1 ; Ibarra, Kat 2
HBP: Medford, Morgan 1
Base Running:
SB: A. Dixon 2
HBP: F. Lumpp 1 ; M. Maness 1
