Softball gets rousing 5-3 “Senior Day” win over No. 16/14 Baylor

Saturday, May 9

Austin, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Texas

36-15, 11-6

Baylor

38-14, 12-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Baylor	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	3	7	2
Texas	0	0	1	0	1	3	X	5	9	2

Softball gets rousing 5-3 “Senior Day” win over No. 16/14 Baylor

05.09.2015 | Softball

Box Score

Senior honorees Gabby Smith and Marlee Gabaldon each knock in key runs during late-game rally

AUSTIN, Texas – On Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 1,308 at Red & Charline McCombs Field, key "Senior Day" contributions from Texas seniors Gabby Smith and Marlee Gabaldon helped ignite a spirited Longhorns (36-15, 11-6 Big 12 Conference) rally from a two-run fifth-inning deficit to a 5-3 victory over No. 16/14 Baylor (38-14, 12-5 Big 12).

After being honored in pre-game festivities for their contributions to the Texas program, Smith blasted a crucial solo HR to center field during the fifth inning, while Gabaldon delivered a sacrifice fly as part of the decisive three-run sixth-inning rally.

Sophomore shortstop Devon Tunning led a nine-hit Longhorns offensive output by going 2-for-4 at the dish with a double and a RBI. Smith was 1-for-3 with her second HR of the season, Gabaldon had the single RBI and sophomore first baseman Kelli Hanzel was 1-for-3 with a clutch RBI single to grant Texas' its first lead of the game in the sixth frame.

Freshman pitcher Erica Wright (17-7) picked up the victory in relief, allowing just two hits, walking two and striking out one over 4.0 innings of work. Sophomore Tiarra Davis started the contest for the Horns, permitting one earned tally on five hits over 3.0 innings.

"I love the fact that our seniors made such important contributions to tonight's win," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "I also need to thank the crowd. That's the best crowd we've had so far this year. They were exceptional, and they really helped us push through. The seniors really came up big for us. It's always great to see that, but on 'Senior Day' with the emotions really running high, I'm really proud of those two.

"I felt good about our momentum. There were some things that weren't pretty tonight in regards to some of the errors, walks and a hit-by-pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. We always look to see how we react to the next pitch or the next play. We were as good as we've been all season on that, and that's significant."

When the game got underway, a Texas error opened the door for Baylor to threaten right from the start of the contest. Right fielder Kaitlyn Thumann christened the match-up with an infield bouncer that was thrown away to first, escaping into the BU dugout to allow the runner the chance to move into scoring position. Following a popped-up bunt that freshman third baseman Randel Leahy caught on the run at third, second baseman Ari Hawkins drove a 3-2 pitch from Davis to right center for a RBI double as the Bears nabbed a quick 1-0 lead.

The Longhorns offense quickly set about proving that Saturday night against Baylor starter Heather Stearns wasn't going to be a repeat of Wednesday's one-hit defeat in Waco. Tunning wasted no time by opening the bottom of the first with a lead-off single to center field. The speed of sophomore left fielder Stephanie Wong soon paid dividends as the Austin, Texas, native dropped a perfect bunt up the third base line, putting two on. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, with the duo stationed in scoring position after a Lindsey Stephens sacrifice bunt, a strikeout and routine bouncer to second ended a big early opportunity with no damage done.

Another miscue provided the impetus needed for Baylor to take a two-run advantage in the top of the third. With Thumann at third following a double starting the frame and a groundout, first baseman Shelby Friudenberg lifted a high two-out pop-up on the infield. What should have been the final out of the inning instead turned into a drop for an error as Thumann raced home easily with BU's second unearned run of the contest to make it 2-0.

A perfect Stephanie Ceo bunt single got the Longhorns' offense back in business starting the bottom of the third. Tunning delivered in the clutch, following immediately by stepping to the dish and driving a shot the other way to the wall in left center for a double as Ceo raced all the way around from first to cut the UT deficit in half at 2-1.

The Bears got the run right back in the top of the fourth, however, as three consecutive singles from designated player Linsey Hays, shortstop Jordan Strickland and center fielder Jessie Scroggins combined to make it 3-1 and end Davis' stint in the circle as Wright came on in relief. Both runners tagged and moved into scoring position, as catcher Robin Landrith lifted a fly ball to right for the first out, and then a walk loaded the bases as Baylor threatened to blow the contest wide open. UT's defense refused to allow BU anything else, though, as left fielder Lindsey Cargill bounced into a huge inning-ending 3-2-4 double play.

With UT having escaped a jam, Smith delivered a huge hit on her "Senior Day," crushing a fifth-inning solo shot off Stearns over the center field wall to again cut UT's deficit to just a single run.

With Wright keeping Baylor's offense from adding to its advantage, Stephens got the decisive Longhorns' rally started in the bottom of the sixth with a ringing double off the left center wall. Leahy followed by lifting a short pop-up just over third that threatened to drop in between fielders. Baylor third baseman Sarah Smith nearly made a great diving, over-the-shoulder catch but had the ball just escape from her glove when she hit the ground for a single. That brought junior catcher Erin Shireman to the plate facing a huge spot, and she threw the Bears for a loop with a perfect bunt. Smith charged from her defensive position at third and bobbled the ball before throwing it away behind the plate allowing Stephens to cross with the tying score. With two in scoring position, a clutch RBI single from Hanzel and a Gabaldon sacrifice fly pushed the Horns to their first lead of the day at 5-3.

Suddenly faced with one final opportunity to keep the contest going, Baylor made things exciting as Cargill got hit by a pitch and second baseman Ari Hawkins singled up the middle to open the inning. Wright refused to back down from the challenge, however, inducing consecutive pop-ups on the infield from Friudenberg and third baseman Caitlin Charlton before striking out Hays to complete a big Texas victory.