Softball drops a 4-0 Saturday decision to Texas Tech

Saturday, April 25

Lubbock, Texas

2 p.m.

University of Texas

32-13, 7-4

Texas Tech

22-25, 6-8

Texas

Texas Tech

Softball drops a 4-0 Saturday decision to Texas Tech

04.25.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Series rubber match is scheduled for Noon CT on Sunday at Rocky Johnson Field

LUBBOCK, Texas – On a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon in front of a record sellout crowd of 1,257 fans at Rocky Johnson Field, Texas softball (32-13, 7-4 Big 12 Conference) had its nine-game road winning streak snapped in a 4-0 loss to Texas Tech (22-25, 6-8 Big 12).

The Longhorns actually managed to out-hit the Red Raiders, 8-3, but stranded seven base runners and were undone by a series of walks and wild pitches that helped contribute to three TTU runs during the opening inning.

Junior catcher Erin Shireman led the way offensively for the Horns with a 2-for-3 effort at the dish while sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning (1-for-4), sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong (1-for-2, walk), freshman third baseman Randel Leahy (1-for-3), sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel (1-for-3), junior designated player Holly Kern (1-for-3) and senior right fielder Marlee Gabaldon (1-for-3) all managed base hits.

In the circle for the Horns, senior Gabby Smith (9-3) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on a combination of four walks and two hits over two-thirds of an inning. Freshman Erica Wright tossed 5.1 frames of relief, permitting one earned run on a single hit with two walks and six strikeouts.

After Texas' offense left Tunning stranded on a lead-off single in the top of the first, walks and wild pitches would prove the major culprits for the Longhorns in the bottom half as Texas Tech nabbed a quick 3-0 lead.

Center fielder Jordan Bettiol and designated player Devon Thomey each drew free passes to start the frame. Following a passed ball that advanced the duo 60 feet, a wild pitch on ball four to catcher Kristi Belshe plated the Red Raiders' initial score. On the walk, however, the runner attempted to take second, but Shireman gunned her down from near the backstop for the first out. Right fielder Kierra Miles followed with another walk to place runners at the corners. Third baseman Ashley Fultz stepped to the dish and lifted a pop-up that got blown around by the wind before falling in for a RBI single. Following a sacrifice bunt that advanced the base runners to second and third, left fielder Susan Welborn ripped a shot through the left side of the infield to expand the advantage to three tallies. Wright came on in relief of Smith and struck out first baseman Brittany Warnecke looking to end the outburst.

The Longhorns attempted to get something underway against TTU starter Chandler Moore in the top of the second as Hanzel and Kern opened the frame with back-to-back singles. Unfortunately, a fielder's choice bouncer cut down the lead runner at third and a 4-3 double play ended the threat with no damage.

A Leahy single starting the top of the fourth granted the Longhorns a leadoff base runner for the third time in the opening four innings. Once again, Moore proved up to the task from the circle as back-to-back fielder's choices cut down the lead runner before a Gabaldon blast was tracked down at the wall in deep left center for a loud third out.

Highlighting the type of day it was for the Horns, Shireman led-off the top of the fifth with a line drive off the wall in deep left. The Pearland, Texas, native made the turn around first but was thrown out trying to stretch her single into extra bases.

Tech added to its advantage in the bottom of the fifth via the long ball as Thomey launched a solo HR over the wall in right to make it 4-0.

Following a Wong lead-off walk in the top of the sixth, junior center fielder Lindsey Stephens stepped to the dish. The Beaumont, Texas, product hit a liner right on the screws but it traveled right to Bettiol in center field. Pop-ups to second and short would finish off another once promising Texas inning with no scoring.

As usual, the Longhorns refused to go down without a fight in the top of the seventh. Kern began the frame by blooping a ball to right that was caught on a great diving grab by Miles. That play loomed large as Gabaldon and Shireman followed immediately with back-to-back singles, placing runners at the corners with just one retired. That proved to be the end of the UT rally, however, as a strikeout and a fielder's choice finished off Tech's win.