No. 25 Softball drops 9-1 (5 inn.) decision to Lamar

Saturday, February 28

Austin, Texas

2:30 p.m.

University of Texas

11-7

Lamar

6-9

Lamar

Texas

No. 25 Softball drops 9-1 (5 inn.) decision to Lamar

02.28.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Freshman Mickenzi Krpec hits her first career HR during the seventh inning

AUSTIN, Texas – With light rain falling and temperatures again hovering around freezing on Saturday afternoon in Texas Invitational action at Red & Charline McCombs Field, No. 25 Texas (11-7) dropped a 9-1 (5 inn.) decision to the Lamar Lady Cardinals.

Sophomore second baseman Mickenzi Krpec managed a personal milestone in the defeat, blasting her first career HR on a deep drive to left center field in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sophomore starting pitcher Tiarra Davis was dealt the loss from the circle to fall to 4-3 on the season.

Facing the difficult conditions, Davis appeared to be struggling with her grip from the start in the top of the first inning. The Henderson, Texas, product hit a pair of batters and later walked one with two down to load the bases. Lamar center fielder Jenna Holland stepped to the dish and laced a two-RBI single to right center as Lamar nabbed a quick 2-0 lead. With runners at the corners, the Lady Cardinals worked a play that resulted in a steal of home and the game's third score. Catcher Brynn Baca soon followed with a two-run HR to left, ending Davis' stint in the circle and expanding the advantage to 5-0. Summoned in for relief, sophomore Lauren Slatten eventually managed to induce a grounder to second to end the frame, but not before LU had taken an early lead.

Lamar quickly added to its advantage in the top of the second as a walk and a single were cashed in on a Holland two-RBI double to deep right to make it 7-0.

Texas tried to start a comeback in the bottom of the second as junior designated player Holly Kern and junior catcher Erin Shireman battled for consecutive lead-off walks off LU starter Laura Napoli. Unfortunately, a fielder's choice to the circle, a fly ball to left and a strikeout left a pair stranded.

Second baseman Casey Cromwell made it 8-0 Lamar in the top of the third, adding a RBI on a sharp single past diving freshman Randel Leahy at third.

The Longhorns got two more on base during the bottom of the third on walks, but again left the duo stranded as a fly out to deep left and a bouncer to short ended the threat.

Lamar right fielder Shannon Sain finalized the Lady Cardinals' offensive output in the top of the fifth on a RBI base knock to center field.

The shutout was broken up in the bottom of the fifth as Krpec crushed the first pitch she saw from Napoli deep over the left center field wall, cutting the Texas deficit to 9-1. That was all the Longhorns would get, however, as Napoli retired the next three UT players down in order to finish the contest.