Softball posts two big innings in racing past Bethune Cookman, 9-1

Friday, February 24

Cathedral City, Calif.

12:30 p.m.

University of Texas

10-3

Bethune-Cookman

1-12

Texas

Bethune Cookman

Softball posts two big innings in racing past Bethune Cookman, 9-1

02.24.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Sophomore right fielder Bekah Alcozer homers again as part of a 3-for-4, four-RBI effort

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Two big offensive innings proved plenty on Friday morning in Mary Nutter Classic action at Big League Dreams Park as Texas softball (10-3) won its season-best fifth-consecutive game with a 9-1 victory over Bethune Cookman.

The Longhorns offense put up four runs in the fourth inning and a five-spot during the seventh while registering 12 total hits in the match-up. Individually, sophomore right fielder Bekah Alcozer continued her torrid hitting by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, her third HR of the season and four RBIs. Over UT's three Mary Nutter Classic games to this point, the Belton, Texas, product is hitting .556 (5-for-9) with two HR's and a team-leading nine RBIs.

Senior left fielder Stephanie Wong (2-for-3) and sophomore center fielder Reagan Hathaway (2-for-4, two runs scored) each contributed two hits. Junior catcher Randel Leahy was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI, while freshman third baseman Jade Gortarez was 1-for-3 with a tally and a RBI.

In the circle for the Burnt Orange & White, junior right-hander Paige von Sprecken improved her record to a perfect 3-0 overall after allowing one unearned run on four hits with a walk and a season-high seven strikeouts over 6.0 innings. Sophomore left-hander Brooke Bolinger allowed two hits during a single scoreless inning of relief work.

After a quick one-two-three top of the first for the Longhorns, Bethune Cookman's offense got in business with two down in the bottom half on first baseman Iesha Waters' bunt single and designated player Yvonne Siordia's walk. From the circle, von Sprecken quickly got herself out of any trouble, registering her second strikeout of the frame by catching left fielder Ryan Jackson swinging.

A dropped pop-up behind first and a sacrifice bunt allowed the Wildcats to post a runner within just 60 feet of pay dirt with one down in the bottom of the second. Once again, von Sprecken responded to the threat via the strikeout, posting consecutive K's of right fielder Sasha Killings and third baseman Jacki Smith.

The Longhorns registered their initial hit of the contest with two outs in the top of the third as Wong blooped a single just over the glove of leaping first baseman Waters. Unfortunately, the Austin, Texas, native never moved from that spot as a foul out just outside the third base bag ended the frame.

The UT bats finally roared to life starting the fourth inning as the first two batters reached safely against Bethune Cookman starter Sabrina Anguiano. With Hathaway at first following a leadoff single to shallow center, Krpec stepped to the plate and lifted a fly ball that dropped just inside the right field line past a diving Killings for a double, putting two in scoring position for the Horns. That set the stage for more Alcozer pyrotechnics as the sophomore right fielder crushed a three-run shot to center field to make it 3-0. A perfect Tuesday DerMargosian (1-for-4, two runs) slap single, a stolen base and a Leahy RBI base knock to center plated another for a four-run advantage.

The short game paid dividends for Bethune Cookman during the bottom of the fifth as the Wildcats cut into their deficit. A bunt single by Annie Bakenhaus and a throwing error allowed BC to start the frame with a runner in scoring position. Following another bunt for a hit to place occupants at the corners, Bethune Cookman pulled off a successful double steal to plate an unearned run and cut its deficit to 4-1. With a runner standing at third and one down, von Sprecken stuck her glove out and knocked down a sure run-scoring line drive before throwing on to first. The hurler's sixth strikeout of the contest left a Wildcat runner stranded just 60 feet from pay dirt.

With Texas looking for some insurance in the top of the seventh, consecutive one-out singles by Hathaway and Slack put two more on for the Longhorns. The lead soon expanded to 6-1 as Alcozer and Gortarez contributed RBI singles. With the bases loaded after a failed fielder's choice, Leahy lifted a sacrifice fly to left. On the play, Alcozer trotted home easily, while the Bethune Cookman catcher eventually tried to nail Gortarez at third. Her throw proved wide of the bag and rolled all the way down into the corner, clearing the bases as Texas secured a commanding 9-1 advantage.

In relief, Bolinger entered to start the bottom of the seventh and retired the first two Wildcats she faced on bouncers right back to the circle. Bethune Cookman managed a pair of two-out singles for a little offensive life, but the UT left-hander finished the win off in style, stabbing a sharp Waters liner out of the air to end the victory.