Softball rallies past North Carolina again, 7-6

Saturday, February 13

Austin, Texas

1 p.m.

University of Texas

3-0

North Carolina

1-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
North Carolina	0	0	2	4	0	0	0	6	8	4
Texas	0	0	0	2	2	3	X	7	9	2

02.13.2016 | Softball

Box Score

Sophomore pitcher Paige von Sprecken collects first Texas hit on game-winning three-run double

AUSTIN, Texas – The "Cardiac Longhorns" were at it again on Saturday afternoon in Texas Classic action at Red & Charline McCombs Field, using what's quickly becoming their signature late-game magic to turn a six-run fourth-inning deficit into a thrilling, 7-6 come-from-behind victory over North Carolina (1-2).

This comeback marked Texas' second over the Tarheels in two days as the Horns successfully fought their way out of a 5-2 hole in the fifth-inning of Friday's night match-up to win, 6-5 (8 inn.).

The Burnt Orange & White put up two runs in both the fourth and fifth frames and three more during a decisive sixth-inning rally.

Sophomore pitcher Paige von Sprecken made her first career Texas hit count in a major way by driving a bases-clearing double into the left center gap to grant the Horns their initial lead of the contest during the bottom of the sixth. The Yorba Linda, Calif., native also earned her first pitching victory on the Forty Acres, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out a pair over 3.2 innings of relief.

For the Texas offense, junior third baseman Celina Felix was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, freshman first baseman Christina Bardwell went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI, junior left fielder Stephanie Wong was 2-for-3 with two tallies and senior center fielder Lindsey Stephens went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

After each team went down in order in the first, North Carolina managed the contest's initial base runner with one out in the top of the second as right fielder Tracy Chandless walked. Texas starting pitcher Tiarra Davis responded to the free pass exactly as Texas fans would hope by registering consecutive strikeouts of first baseman Leah Murray and third baseman Darby Rosen to end the frame.

Felix opened the top of the second with a bloop single into shallow left center that represented the first hit for either team. UT couldn't get anything going, however, as the next three Longhorns were retired in order.

A Texas error starting the top of the third opened the door for the Tarheels to score a pair of unearned runs. A misplayed ground ball, a stolen base and a bouncer to third stationed pinch runner Destiny DeBerry within 60 feet of pay dirt with two outs. Speedster Aquilla Mateen stepped into the batter's box and dropped a perfect bunt out in front of the plate. Davis corralled the ball and fired to first, but the toss proved just too late. A subsequent throw home failed to get DeBerry as UNC grabbed a one-run lead. Mateen soon swiped third, setting the stage for a Kristen Brown RBI single to make it 2-0.

The Tarheels offense got untracked again in the fourth as a Murray infield single, a throwing error on a successful steal and a walk set North Carolina up with runners at the corners and one out. With a chance to boost UNC's lead, catcher Katie Bailiff delivered by bouncing a 3-1 pitch through the left side of the infield, plating Murray for a three-score advantage. Left fielder Dani Garcielita soon made it 4-0 on a RBI base knock just inside the third base line. A walk and a hit batter combined to force in the fifth tally for the Heels and ended Davis' stint in the circle as von Sprecken entered in relief. Brown greeted the new hurler with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 6-0 as North Carolina eventually sent nine to the plate in a four-run outburst.

In desperate need of a rally, Wong tried to get the Longhorns started in the bottom of the fourth by opening the frame with a sharp single through the right side of the infield. Stephens followed immediately with a long double to the wall in left center as Texas boasted a pair in scoring position with no one retired. The Burnt Orange & White soon got on the scoreboard as Felix drove a pitch the other way to right for a sacrifice fly allowing Wong to race across with UT's first run. Picking up where she left off on Friday night, Bardwell again delivered a big hit as her RBI single up the middle cut the gap to 6-2.

Junior shortstop Devon Tunning granted Texas some more life in the fifth by driving a one-out single the other way to left. Wong put pressure on the UNC defense with a bunt out in front of the plate. Tarheel third baseman Darby Rosen charged the ball, but her throw proved well wide of first for an error as the Longhorns boasted runners at the corners with one retired. With a chance to cut further into the deficit, Felix ripped a two-out RBI single through the left side of the infield to plate Tunning. On the continuation of the play, Wong was eventually thrown out at the plate. The umpire cited Rosen for obstruction at third, however, allowing the runner to cross and make it 6-4.

The comeback reached its full zenith during the bottom of the sixth after a UNC error, a Kelli Hanzel single and a Taylor McAllister walk packed the bags for the Horns with no outs. Texas' hurler von Sprecken helped her own cause in a major way by driving a bases-clearing shot into the gap in left center, her first career hit in the Burnt Orange & White, to grant the Longhorns their first lead of the day at 7-6.

With North Carolina suddenly down to its last chance in the top of the seventh, Murray became the potential tying run by driving a two-bagger into the left center gap with two retired. A Tarheel rally wasn't in the cards, however, as pinch hitter Lauren Fuller hit a routine grounder to first to conclude the Texas victory.