MIAMI -- The Mean Green softball team traveled to Miami over the weekend for a three-game series against a struggling Florida International squad (0-9 C-USA). The weather was near perfect -- while we were stuck with a bitter wind in Denton -- as UNT claimed three relatively comfortable victories over the weekend.
"It was nice to only have to play five innings on Sunday," coach Rodney DeLong said. "It's good to get out of Miami, Florida with three wins so I'm real pleased with the weekend. I'm happy with our girls and happy with our effort."
North Texas outscored FIU 23-4 during the three games while racking up 30 total hits. The UNT pitching staff nearly pitched a shutout throughout the entire weekend. FIU didn't score a run until the third inning of game three.
Harley Perella had a strong weekend at the plate, finishing 7-for-11 with 4 RBIs.
Jenna Goodrich had a monster Saturday, finishing game two with a win in the circle and a 3-for-3 showing at the plate that included a home run and 2 RBIs. Goodrich, who grew up in Davie, Florida -- about 30 miles from FIU's campus -- showed out for family and friends in attendance.
The Mean Green improved their conference record to 10-2 and sit atop of the Conference USA West Division just a year after finishing with a sub-500 conference record.
"Every series brings its different challenges and we just have to keep bringing it on the weekends," DeLong said. "We've put ourselves in a good position to win this thing, and this is our goal and this is what we want to do."
This team continues to thrive under DeLong and simply has fun when playing the game. For example, before Sunday's game, your Mean Green looked to be reenacting a scene from Jaws (via @MeanGreenSB).
This might not be typical among some NCAA Division 1 programs, but DeLong and his staff have reminded these ladies that softball is fun. And so far, fun has translated to wins on the field.
Let's get to a small recap of each game this weekend:
North Texas 7, FIU 0
Perella and Hannah Gerecke both smacked solo home runs to left field in game one's victory. Perella drove a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence while Gerecke sent a no-doubter over the wall for her second home run of the season.
Katie Clark returned to form with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate with an RBI. Clark played in every game this weekend, which is a huge step considering she hasn't played a full series since Southern Mississippi.
Tayla Evans continued to rake at the dish, shooting a 2-0 pitch to the left center field fence in the first inning to drive in Lacy Gregory for the game's first run.
Hope Trautwein earned the win in the circle, allowing just one hit through five innings pitched. Trautwein improved her record to 13-4 on the season.
North Texas 3, FIU 0
As mentioned above, Goodrich was the star in game two with a home run while leading North Texas in the circle. She gave up just two hits during 3.1 innings and allowed zero walks.
Trautwein came in to finish the final 3.2 innings and didn't allow a single hit from the Panthers. The Mean Green defense also failed to commit an error in game two.
Overall, a very solid defensive showing from a team that has struggled with that facet of the game at times this season.
"We played good defense," DeLong said. "That's going to be the key moving forward. For us to win a championship, we're going to have to play good defense."
North Texas 13, FIU 4
It was only a matter of time before North Texas run ruled the Panthers. The Mean Green collected 16 hits in five innings, while Perella, Gregory, Evans, Kenzie Young and Sally Gastelo all had multiple hit games.
Perella, Gregory and Kourtney Williams all finished with a game-high 2 RBIs. It's nice to see Williams come in and be effective at the plate, considering she usually serves as a pinch runner.
North Texas broke open the game with a five-run third inning to take a 10-0 lead. Trautwein earned the win and only allowed one run and three hits through three innings pitched.
UP NEXT:
UNT will travel down to Huntsville on Wednesday to take on Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. The Bearkats are 16-18 with an 8-4 record in the Southland Conference. They are coming off a series win over Nicholls State. Sam Houston endured a pair of one-run losses last week to Texas A&M, who UNT run ruled earlier this season.
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