Softball falls in second game of DH to No. 5 Oklahoma, 3-1

Friday, April 10

Austin, Texas

6:30 pm

University of Texas

27-11, 3-2

Oklahoma

35-5, 8-0

Oklahoma

Texas

Softball falls in second game of DH to No. 5 Oklahoma, 3-1

04.10.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Two teams slated to wrap-up series on Sat., April 11, at 1 p.m. CT weather permitting

AUSTIN, Texas – Despite jumping to a quick 1-0 lead during the opening inning, Texas (27-11, 3-2 Big 12 Conference) fell in the second game of a Friday doubleheader at Red & Charline McCombs Field to No. 5 Oklahoma (35-5, 8-0 Big 12), 3-1.

The two teams are scheduled to complete their series on Sat., April 11, at 1 p.m. CT live on Longhorn Network. It's UT's "Pink at the Plate" game, so be sure to wear pink to help raise breast cancer awareness.

Longhorns' junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens blasted her team-leading 13th HR of the campaign as part of a 2-for-3, RBI performance, while senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon (1-for-3) and sophomore pinch hitter Mickenzi Krpec each managed single base knocks in the loss.

UT senior hurler Gabby Smith took the defeat in a complete-game effort, falling to 7-2 on the season after allowing three earned runs on five hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts.

Oklahoma again threatened right from the start in game two as a hit batter and a Shelby Pendley double stationed a pair of Sooners aboard in the first. Smith wasn't fazed facing the early pressure in the circle, however, as the Houston, Texas, hurler watched her defense put together a fielder's choice play to the plate to save a run before personally striking out both designated player Paige Parker and second baseman Georgia Casey to leave a pair stranded.

The Longhorns broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the first as Stephens hammered a two-out solo HR down the right field line to give UT a 1-0 lead.

A pair of walks got the Sooners back in business with two down in the top of the second. Smith again wouldn't allow OU the hit it needed to get on the scoreboard, though, getting dangerous first baseman Lauren Chamberlain to fly out harmlessly to right.

The pitchers settled in from the circle over the next two innings as each team managed a single but nothing else.

Oklahoma eventually got one of its patented long balls in the top of the fifth inning as Chamberlain drove a solo shot to center to dead-lock the count at 1-1. The threat wasn't yet over for the Sooners as Shelby Pendley got struck by a pitch and Parker singled through the left side of the infield, putting two on with still just one out. Unfortunately for the Horns, right fielder Erin Miller followed with a free pass to load the bases and Casey was struck by a pitch to force in the run that granted OU its initial lead at 2-1.

With UT now trailing on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, Gabaldon got a scoring chance underway for the Longhorns by launching a one-out double off the wall in right center. With two down following a sharp bouncer to second that successfully advanced the runner to third, game one winning pitcher Parker was summoned into the contest in relief. She immediately got the Sooners out of the jam by registering a swinging strikeout.

OU stretched its advantage to 3-1 in the top of the sixth as Parker hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice to second with the bases loaded and one retired.

With Texas facing its last at-bat in the contest, Krpec got the Horns off to the right start via a bloop single down the right field line, taking second when the ball was also misplayed for an error. That was all UT would get against Parker, however, as a pair of strikeouts and a foul out finished the contest.