Softball walks off in comeback win over North Carolina, 6-5 (8 inn.)

Friday, February 12

Austin, Texas

6 p.m.

University of Texas

2-0

North Carolina

1-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
North Carolina	1	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	5	6	2
Texas	1	1	0	0	3	0	0	1	6	7	3

Softball walks off in comeback win over North Carolina, 6-5 (8 inn.)

02.12.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Freshman shortstop Christina Bardwell goes 1-for-1 while delivering a key two-RBI single in late rally

AUSTIN, Texas – On Friday night in Texas Classic action at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas (2-0) stirred up memories from last season's numerous late-game heroics by securing a come-from-behind, 6-5 (8 inn.) walk-off victory over North Carolina (1-1).

The walk-off marked the sixth overall and the fifth in the friendly confines of McCombs Field for the Longhorns over the past two seasons.

UT trailed the Tarheels by a 5-2 count heading into the bottom of the fifth before plating three runs on a clutch RBI double from junior pinch hitter Mickenzi Krpec and a key two-RBI single and first collegiate hit from freshman shortstop Christina Bardwell. In extra frames with the international tiebreaker in effect, junior third baseman Celina Felix completed the Burnt Orange & White comeback by drawing a bases-loaded walk to force in the game-winning score.

Junior Stephanie Wong added to the Texas offensive output through a 1-for-2 effort with a run scored, a double, three walks and a RBI. Senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens added a 1-for-4 effort with a two-bagger, a walk and a RBI.

In the circle for the Horns, junior Tiarra Davis (2-0) earned the triumph in relief, tossing a single perfect frame of work. Sophomore Paige von Sprecken allowed one earned run, five hits, walked three and struck out a pair over 3.2 innings as the starter, while sophomore Kristen Clark was extremely effective in relief, allowing just one hit, walking one and K'ing a pair in 3.1 innings.

North Carolina wasted little time jumping in front on the scoreboard during the top of the first. North Carolina lead-off batter Taylor Wike stepped to the plate and drilled a 3-1 offering from von Sprecken over the right field wall for a solo HR to make it 1-0. A UT throwing miscue and consecutive walks loaded the bases full of Tarheels with still just one retired. UNC right fielder Kiana Sherlund lifted a dangerous pop-up that threatened to drop into shallow left. Texas junior shortstop Devon Tunning raced back on the grass and made a terrific running over-the-shoulder catch to keep a run from scoring. A chopper that senior second baseman Stephanie Ceo handled routinely at second ended the threat as North Carolina missed a big chance to add to its early lead by leaving the bags packed.

UNC's advantage didn't last long, however, as the Longhorns offense quickly cranked into gear in the bottom of the first. A one-out double to the wall in left by Wong was immediately cashed in on a Stephens two-bagger down the left-field line, tying the score at 1-1.

A Texas fielding miscue and an infield single got UNC back in business in the second, putting two on the base paths with one down. A strikeout of center fielder Aquilla Mateen moved the Longhorns closer to getting out of a jam. Unfortunately for the Burnt Orange & White, North Carolina shortstop Kristen Brown blasted a three-run shot over the left field wall as the Tarheels snatched back their lead, 4-1.

The offensive fireworks continued into Texas' half of the second as a hit batter and consecutive singles from junior first baseman Kelli Hanzel (1-for-3, run) and Tunning stationed Longhorns at every base with just one out against UNC starter Sydney Matzko. Wong walked to force in a tally and cut UT's deficit to 4-2, but a pair of fielder's choices ended the frame with no further damage.

UT had another major chance to cut into North Carolina's advantage in the bottom of the third as a pair of fielding miscues put a pair aboard with no outs. Texas ran into some unfortunate luck, however, as a third-to-first double play effectively derailed the scoring opportunity. A routine bouncer to second wrapped up a once promising threat with no scoring as the Tarheels maintained a two-run lead.

The North Carolina advantage grew to 5-2 in the top of the fourth as a UT miscommunication in the outfield resulted in a dropped fly ball, allowing UNC to plate a runner from second.

The Longhorns rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the contest at 5-5. Junior designated player Taylor McAllister got the outburst underway with a one-out single down the left field line. Following an Erin Shireman walk, Krpec stepped to the plate in a pinch hit role and delivered a clutch double just inside the right field line, scoring McAllister to cut the deficit to 5-3. The comeback was complete just minutes later as Bardwell chopped a two-RBI single through the left side to dead-lock the count at 5-all.

Neither team could make a breakthrough the rest of regulation as extra innings and the international tiebreaker rule were brought into play.

In the top of the eighth with a UNC player starting the frame at second, pinch hitter Berlynne Delamore hit a hard chopper back to the circle. Brought in to start the inning as a reliever, Davis corralled the ball and fired a strike to third as Felix made the tag to cut down the lead runner for an important first out. From there, Ceo handled a grounder, tagged a runner between first and second and completed a 4-3 double play to grant the Horns an opportunity to finish things in the bottom of the eighth.

Hanzel started at second for Texas in the eighth, advancing within 60 feet of paydirt on a one-out passed ball. UNC's coaching staff made the decision to walk both Wong and Stephens to load the bases and set up a force at every bag. Felix stepped into the batter's box with the chance to play heroine and came through with a walk-off free pass to secure a 6-5 (8 inn.) triumph.