Softball gets Randel Leahy walk-off double to down Louisiana Tech, 6-5

Friday, February 17

Austin, Texas

12:30 p.m.

University of Texas

5-2

Louisiana Tech

6-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Louisiana Tech	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	5	8	1
Texas	2	0	0	2	0	0	2	6	9	2

Softball gets Randel Leahy walk-off double to down Louisiana Tech, 6-5

02.17.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Walk-off victory was the 11th for the Longhorns since the start of the 2015 season

AUSTIN, Texas – McCombs Field magic was back in full effect for Texas softball (5-2) on a beautiful Friday afternoon as the Longhorns rallied for two runs during the bottom of the seventh to secure a 6-5, walk-off victory over Louisiana Tech (6-2) in Texas Invitational action.

Facing a 5-4 deficit entering the bottom of the seventh, the Burnt Orange & White got a key walk from senior second baseman Mickenzi Krpec (1-for-2, walk, run, double, RBI) and a two-out, game-tying RBI double from senior third baseman Celina Felix (1-for-2, two walks, run, RBI) before junior catcher Randel Leahy's heroics completed the comeback.

Also at the plate for the Horns, sophomore right fielder Bekah Alcozer blasted her first collegiate HR as part of a 1-for-3 effort with a RBI, senior shortstop Devon Tunning was 1-for-3 with a walk, her team-leading fourth double of the season and two tallies, senior left fielder Stephanie Wong was 1-for-3 with a triple, a walk and a run and sophomore center fielder Reagan Hathaway was 1-for-4 with a triple and a RBI.

In the circle, junior Paige von Sprecken improved to 2-0 on the season by working two perfect innings of relief with one strikeout. Sophomore Brooke Bolinger started for the Horns, allowing four earned runs on four hits with two walks during a single inning of effort, while redshirt sophomore Erica Wright permitted one run on four hits with a walk and three K's over four frames of relief.

Louisiana Tech's offense wasted no time getting something started in the top of the first as consecutive singles from first baseman Jazlyn Crowder and center fielder Tori Charters and a Morgan Turkoly walk loaded the bases with no outs. Designated player Taria Page quickly boosted the Lady Techsters to a 1-0 advantage by driving a sharp RBI base knock up the middle. With the bags still packed, a walk to right fielder Ali Galaz and shortstop Katie Smith's sacrifice fly to center expanded the lead to 3-0.

With Texas hoping to answer right back in the bottom half, Wong began the frame on a positive note by blasting a triple to the wall in center. With Tunning at the dish, an illegal pitch call on Louisiana Tech starter Krystal De la Cruz brought Wong across from 60 feet away to make it 3-1. The hit parade continued soon after as Tunning drove an offering into the left center gap for her team-best fourth double of the season. The deficit shrank to just a single run with one retired as Krpec hammered a RBI double to the wall in center.

Leading off the top of the second, a solo HR from third baseman Jessica Ball made it 4-2 in favor of the visitors.

After Texas left a runner stranded in scoring position during the third frame, the Lady Techsters threatened to add to their advantage with a one-out rally in the fourth. Singles from second baseman Karlee Jensen and Crowder as well as a throwing error on a potential fielder's choice bouncer loaded the bases. Looking to escape a big jam, Wright handled a bouncer and tossed home for an important force to prevent a run. The Huntington, Texas, product then caught Louisiana Tech clean-up hitter Page looking at a huge strike three to leave a trio of base runners stranded.

Alcozer picked a great time to blast her first career Longhorns HR as the Belton, Texas, native began the bottom of the fourth with a line drive lazer beam shot to left to help the Longhorns claw back within a run at 4-3. With Tunning stationed on first following a two-out free pass, Hathaway dead-locked the contest at four-all by plating her teammate on a RBI triple to center.

The Lady Techsters immediately swiped the lead back during the top of the fifth as a two-out Ball RBI single to left made it 5-4. The damage could have been worse, but a strong throw from Wong to the plate on the play allowed Leahy the opportunity to apply an inning-ending tag.

In need of some McCombs Field magic during the last of the seventh, Texas managed to get the tying run aboard on a Krpec walk. That set the stage for the two-out heroics that followed as Felix soon delivered the game-tying hit UT needed on a RBI double off the wall in left. Leahy stepped into the box with the opportunity to end the game and started the home fans' celebration by blasting a walk-off two-bagger to left center.