Reese Atwood sets school home-run record as Texas softball clinches Big 12 championship
Reese Atwood continued to batter her way into the school record books as Texas softball clinched at least a share of the Big 12 title on Saturday with a 23-0 win over Texas Tech in Lubbock.
Atwood set a school record for home runs in a single season when she launched a pair of long balls against the Red Raiders to give her 19 for the season. The previous high of 18 had been set by Taylor Hoagland in 2012.
Last week, Atwood broke Texas' single-season RBIs record of 66, which had been previously shared with Taylor Thom and Lindsey Stephens. She added to her record on Saturday, driving in nine runs against Texas Tech to give her 80 for the season.
"This weekend, I’ve really just wanted to be relaxed at the plate," Atwood said. "I have a great group of teammates around me, so all their support in cheering not only me but the whole team on makes the field such a great environment to allow anyone to succeed.”
More: Texas softball's Reese Atwood lays the lumber to softball opponents | Bohls
Atwood had plenty of company in finding success against Texas Tech's beleaguered pitchers. Freshman Katie Stewart also had two home runs, and second baseman Leighann Goode and outfielder Kayden Henry each had a homer. Texas' 23 runs not only are the most runs scored against a Big 12 opponent in program history, but also tied for the most runs scored in a single game regardless of opponent. It also tied the school record for largest margin of victory; Texas beat Cal State Fullerton 23-0 in 2012.
Texas coach Mike White called the offensive explosion “an impressive performance" while also crediting pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez for for the shutout win.
"Not only scoring every single inning and putting up crooked numbers, but there were some really good at-bats and taking advantage of the wind today," White said. "There was good baserunning, too. Then, of course, there’s Citlaly, too, who threw a shutout on a day when the ball was flying. There was good defensive display as well. I’m just real proud of the ladies for staying focused and picking everyone up. Everyone came out and really did their job well today.”
More: Texas catcher Reese Atwood selected as finalist for USA Softball's player of the year
Texas clinches at least a share of Big 12 title
While No. 1 Texas (44-6, 22-4 Big 12) routed the Red Raiders, No. 4 Oklahoma State (44-8, 21-5) beat No. 2 Oklahoma (45-6, 21-5) for the second consecutive game. That means the Longhorns secured at least a share of their first Big 12 title since 2010 and can claim the undisputed conference championship and the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament if they complete the sweep Sunday against Texas Tech in the regular-season finale.
If Texas shares the regular-season title with OU, the Longhorns will enter the Big 12 Tournament on May 8-11 in Oklahoma City as the top seed since they beat the Sooners in their season series. However, if Oklahoma State ties Texas in the standings, the Cowgirls would get the tiebreaker because they won that season series.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Reese Atwood sets HR record, Texas softball clinches Big 12 title
