Stephens, pitchers lead UT softball to 5-0 win over Weber State

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens drove in three runs on a triple and a home run, and pitchers Tiarra Davis and Paige von Sprecken combined on a two-hit shutout as the No. 21 Texas softball team improved its record to 14-2 with a 5-0 shutout of Weber State (9-7) in the last game of the Texas Invitational.

Her home run was the third of the season for Stephens, whose three RBI also moved her into a tie with freshman right fielder Reagan Hathaway for second on the team with 15. Transfer Celina Felix leads the team with 17, a .417 batting average and a slugging percentage of .729.

Davis surrendered both Weber State hits in her four-inning start to improve her record to 9-1 before giving way to von Sprecken, who struck out two in three perfect innings to collect her first collegiate save.

The dominance Davis and von Sprecken showed in the circle meant Stephens’ first-inning solo home run was really the only offense UT would need, but the Longhorns were not done. Felix doubled the Texas lead when she doubled to right-center field, driving in left fielder Stephanie Wong, and then scored the game’s third run on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Devon Tunning.

Stephens added to the Texas lead in the second when she drilled a triple to left-center field, scoring second baseman Stephanie Ceo and catcher Erin Shireman.

The Longhorns go on the road for their next game, taking on Texas State at 6 p.m. Wednesday in San Marcos.