 "Photo: Bruno Morlan/The Daily Texan")
Although last season the Longhorns softball team relied heavily on an experienced trio of pitchers, two freshmen saw time in the circle Friday night in an exhibition doubleheader against Alvin and McLennan Community Colleges.
Freshmen Blair Luna and Kim Bruins contributed to two shutouts, bringing the Longhorns’ preseason record to 5-0. Both freshmen pitched three full innings without allowing any hits before giving way to relief pitchers in the fourth.
“The team is excited about Kim and Blair,” said head coach Connie Clark. “A lot of the girls on the team have played against them before or seen them on the recruiting circuit, and we are anticipating great performances from them.”
Luna and Bruins will have some extra work in the spring without the help of Brittany Barnhill, last season’s starting pitcher. Barnhill announced she was going to transfer to Ole Miss shortly after the Longhorns lost to Alabama in the 2009 NCAA Regional Finals. She started 36 games last season and had an ERA of 2.70.
“I think we moved forward from that in June,” Clark said. “Texas is not a place for everyone, there is a big spotlight and a lot of pressure, but we knew we had two top freshman recruits coming in even before Barnhill decided to leave.”
Sophomore Courtney Craig and senior Erin Tresselt took over for the freshmen. Although Tresselt was one of Texas’ relief pitchers last season, Craig came in to the mound from right field for one of the first times in her collegiate career.
With a batting average of .394 and five home runs, Craig was one of the top hitters for the Longhorns last season. As the starting right fielder, she was also a key for the defense.
Although she pitched in high school, last year Craig said she saw herself as more of an outfielder than a pitcher.
“We want to keep her warmed up in the bullpen in case of an injury, just so we can have several options,” Clark said. “But we’re actually training her for all three outfield positions next season, not just right field.”
Clark said she expects Craig, who was first in the batting lineup on Friday, to have another strong offensive performance next season.
Another freshman who might make an impact in the spring is Taylor Hoagland, who kicked off the UT offense against Alvin on Friday. She hit a sacrifice fly in the first that allowed Craig to run home, and knocked out a three-run homer later in the fifth.
Senior outfielder Tallie Thrasher, who saw limited playing time last year due to injury, is back in the lineup this season.
She hit the first home run of the night against Alvin in the second inning.
Clark said it’s still to early to talk about lineup, but so far the preseason has allowed her to gauge the roles some of the girls might play next season.
“I think we’re getting what we want out of these exhibition games,” she said. “We’re keeping our players in the game, and we’re really looking forward to next season.”
Connie works for Chris Plonsky.We have our own Women's athletic department.
We have had only 2 world class athletes in the program since inception-Christa Williams( a stretch) and Cat( a given).
Deloss is not part of this discussion.
Red Mc Combs built the stadium.
Connies work?: No national championships , never in the top 10 without Cat or Christa-about a 680 overall winning % with Cat and Christa---overall 320% without. UGH( 3's were before last year--should be up some.
WE ARE NOT even close to Aggy , baylor, OU in this sport.Sure we have only been playing since 97 but the performance in non Cat years --and Christa years has been abysmal.We are not considered a Big !2 title contender without a Cat type person.top recruits DO NOT go here--good ones -yes --top ones --no.
Top program????----overall mens athletics --yes.
Womens programs: V ball is our show horse and a Class Act-swimmng -diving- soccer are good.--track and field--Bev is the best but we haven't performed up to her standards. Basketball--wait and see.
SOFTBALL?? not even a ranked team a lot of the last 2 years. Being in the top 25 doesn't cut it anyway @ Texas--We should be top 10 in most every sport.
I hope they turn the corner soon.I am a big Connie and softball fan--just objective.
And yes-I have watched----since 97.