The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
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Dartmouth
No. 25 Softball walks-off over Dartmouth, 1-0
02.27.2015 | Softball
Freshman third baseman Randel Leahy hits a clutch two-out game-winning double in the seventh
AUSTIN, Texas – With temperatures hovering around 32 degrees and a light rain falling during Texas Invitational play on Friday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field, UT freshman third baseman Randel Leahy played the role of heroine as her walk-off RBI double to right center helped the Longhorns (10-6) fight off Dartmouth, 1-0.
Texas junior catcher Erin Shireman got the decisive rally underway by starting the bottom of the seventh with a two-bagger to right center. After two quick outs threatened to derail the scoring chance, Leahy stepped to the dish and delivered UT's biggest hit of the contest.
In the circle for the Horns, freshman Erica Wright improved her overall record to 4-3, allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out five in a complete-game shutout. In the process, the Huntington, Texas, native stretched her streak of permitting no earned runs to 25 consecutive innings dating back to February 14.
Shireman led the Texas offense by going 2-for-3 at the dish with the two-bagger, while Leahy was 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI. Junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo and sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning each went 1-for-3 in the match-up.
Missed chances were the story of the opening three innings as each team left a trio stranded on the base paths.
Dartmouth wasted a two-out triple in the top of the second, while Texas got back-to-back, one-out singles from Ceo and Tunning during the third but couldn't get the hit needed to break the scoreless dead-lock.
It took a great defensive play by Dartmouth to keep the Longhorns off the board in the bottom of the fourth. With Shireman stationed at third following a single, a wild pitch and a groundout, sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel ripped a promising two-out offering from Big Green starter Ashley Sissel to left center. DC's Megan Averitt sprinted over from her defensive position and made an impressive diving catch to keep UT from nabbing the lead.
Dartmouth got its seventh inning off to a promising start as pinch hitter Lourlin Lara walked. Things got wild from there, however, as a bunt out in front of the plate by left fielder Chloe Madill somehow turned into a 5-4-7-3 double play. Catcher Kathy Dzienkowski followed with a promising liner to right field, but senior Marlee Gabaldon hustled in to make a tough catch at her cleat tops to conclude the frame.
From there it was left to Shireman and Leahy to combine on their bottom of the seventh heroics as Texas secured the one-run triumph.
Texas Team Notes
Series: The contest was the first meeting ever between Texas and Dartmouth. The teams will square off again on Sunday at 10 a.m. CT.
Walking it off: The Longhorns won in walk-off fashion for the second time this season. Erin Shireman led off the inning with a double to the right-center field gap. Mickenzi Krpec, pinch running for Shireman, was moved over on a ground out by Marlee Gabaldon. With two outs, Randel Leahy laced a double over the centerfielder's head for the game winning hit.
Putting up a donut: Texas shut out an opponent for the fourth time this season. Previously the Longhorns held UCSB, IPFW, and No. 8/7 Georgia scoreless.
Getting on the board first: Texas is now 9-2 when scoring the first run.
Player Notes
Randel Leahy: In her first career start at third base, Leahy recorded her first game-winning hit with an RBI double in the seventh inning. It was the freshman's second career double and first RBI at Texas.
Erica Wright: The freshman threw her fifth complete game of the season and her third complete game shutout. In the contest, the right hander had five strikeouts, three walks, and only allowed two hits in picking up her fourth win of the season. She currently has gone 25 straight innings without giving up an earned run.
Erin Shireman: The junior catcher went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a lead-off double in the seventh inning that turned into the winning run. Shireman currently leads the Longhorns in batting average (.400), slugging percentage (.760) and doubles (four).
