Reese Atwood sets a new school record as Texas softball completes sweep of Iowa State
With a two-run homer in the fourth inning of the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, Reese Atwood set a new school record for RBIs in a single season while triggering a big day for the No. 1Texas softball team.
The Longhorns (42-6, 20-4) beat Iowa State 8-0 and 9-1 to complete the series sweep on Saturday after the teams agreed to move Sunday’s scheduled game because of the threat of inclement weather. With the wins, Texas remains a half-game back of Oklahoma for first place in the Big 12 entering the Sooners’ contest with Central Florida Sunday.
More: Texas softball's Reese Atwood lays the lumber to softball opponents | Bohls
Atwood did her part to help Texas while breaking the single-season RBI record of 66, which had been previously shared with Taylor Thom and Lindsey Stephens. After driving in two runs in game one, she started the second game with a double to the right-centerfield gap to score Mia Scott and give her a 69th RBI number for the season.
Atwood returned to the plate the following inning — with the Longhorns already holding onto a 3-0 lead — and capped a four-run, five-hit second inning with a one-out, solo home run to give her 17 home runs on the season to go along with 70 RBIs. She’s now just one homer back of tying the program’s single-season home run record.
Atwood is also tied Miami, Ohio’s, Jenna Golembiewski for the most RBIs in Division I softball.
While she appreciates breaking the record, Atwood said she’s ready to focus on the end of the regular season. Texas travels to Texas Tech, and Oklahoma will face third-place Oklahoma State. Only two games separate those three teams in the Big 12 standings.
“I think (breaking the record) is pretty cool and just being able to have my name in the record books, but when we come back out on the field next weekend at Texas Tech, we just have to stay focused to win each game,” she said.
Texas coach Mike White was pleased to see Atwood break the record, especially since the sophomore catcher from Corpus Christi appears to have shaken off a midseason slump.
“What a great accomplishment that was for Reese; to set a record with still a bunch of games to go,” he said. “I know she had some struggles there through the middle of the season, but she’s getting hot right now and the right time.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Reese Atwood sets school record as Texas softball sweeps Iowa State
