The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
29-12, 4-3
Iowa State
21-18, 1-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
Softball opens doubleheader against Iowa State with 8-0 (5 inn.) win
04.18.2015 | Softball
Junior catcher Erin Shireman’s two-RBI double completes UT’s sixth home walk-off win of 2015
AUSTIN, Texas – The 2015 edition of the Texas softball team seems to thrive on finishing games in dramatic fashion as a two-RBI double from junior catcher Erin Shireman completed the Longhorns' sixth home walk-off win of the season as UT (29-12, 4-3 Big 12 Conference) topped Iowa State (21-18, 1-6 Big 12) in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Red & Charline McCombs Field, 8-0 (5 inn.).
Freshman pitcher Erica Wright was terrific for the Horns from the circle, improving to 12-6 overall while allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out eight in a complete game effort.
Shireman (1-for-3, double) and sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning (1-for-2, run) led the offense with a pair of RBI each, while junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens (1-for-2, run, sacrifice fly) and senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon (1-for-2, run) both registered single RBI. Sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel (1-for-2, run) and freshman third baseman Randel Leahy (1-for-2, run) posted doubles in the triumph.
Iowa State lead-off hitter Brittany Gomez used her speed to get a Cyclone threat going against Wright in the top of the first. After dropping a perfect bunt up the third base line for a single and quickly stealing second, she moved within 60 feet of pay dirt on a long fly out to center by designated player Aly Cappaert. Wright kept the runner stranded at third, however, by recording her second K of the frame on a punch out of shortstop Lexi Slater.
Texas wasted no time taking an early lead by manufacturing a run in the first inning for the 11th time in the last 13 games. Tunning got things underway with a lead-off walk against ISU starter Brianna Weilbacher. Sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong followed with a bouncer to second, and with her speed putting pressure on the defense, forced an errant throw as the runners rolled into second and third with no one out. Stephens stepped into the batter's box and hit a towering fly ball to center that proved plenty deep enough to plate Tunning via sacrifice fly for a 1-0 advantage.
The Horns offense got back in business in the bottom of the second, sending eight batters to the plate in totaling four runs on four hits while improving the UT lead to a commanding 5-0. In all, the first six Longhorns to step to the plate in the inning reached as Hanzel started things off with a double. Gabaldon followed immediately with a RBI single, Leahy blasted a two-bagger, ISU was called for a run-scoring illegal pitch, junior second baseman Stephanie Ceo walked, Tunning hammered a two-run base knock to left center and Wong walked as part of the outburst.
The early run support certainly allowed Wright to settle in from the circle. The Huntington, Texas, product struck out eight and retired 11 straight at one point while allowing just a single hit over her five innings of work.
The Longhorns then made it two walk-offs in a row at home by plating three tallies in the bottom of the fifth. Wong got the UT offense started the hard way by getting hit by a pitch opening the frame. After a Stephens single, a big ISU miscue on a ground ball to short allowed Wong to race home easily while stationing a pair in scoring position. Shireman then finished things off with a bloop double into shallow left as both runners crossed to finalize the run-rule triumph.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wright, Erica (12-6)
L: Weilbacher (4-5)
Base Running:
SB: Gomez 1
Batting:
2B: Shireman, Erin 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Leahy, Randel 1
RBI: Tunning, Devon 2 ; Stephens, Lindsey 1 ; Shireman, Erin 2 ; Gabaldon, Marlee 1
SF: Stephens, Lindsey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tunning, Devon 1 ; Wong, Stephanie 1 ; Stephens, Lindsey 1 ; Kern, Holly 1 ; Hanzel, Kelli 1 ; Gabaldon, Marlee 1 ; Leahy, Randel 1 ; Ceo, Stephanie 1
SB: Ceo, Stephanie 1
CS: Stephens, Lindsey 1
HBP: Wong, Stephanie 1 ; Ceo, Stephanie 1
