Softball climbs back into the win column by topping Loyola Marymount, 8-2

Tuesday, March 14

Los Angeles, Calif.

4 p.m.

University of Texas

13-10

Loyola Marymount

9-13

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

Softball climbs back into the win column by topping Loyola Marymount, 8-2

03.14.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Hathaway & Ellsworth each hit HR’s while Wright struck out nine during a complete-game effort

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Home runs from sophomore center fielder Reagan Hathaway and freshman catcher Taylor Ellsworth helped back redshirt sophomore Erica Wright's complete-game, nine-strikeout performance as Texas softball (13-10) got back into the win column on Tuesday afternoon at Smith Field with an 8-2 victory over Loyola Marymount (9-13).

In the circle for the Longhorns, Wright improved to 2-2 on the season by striking out a season-high nine while allowing two earned runs on three hits with three walks over 7.0 innings of work.

Ellsworth powered Texas' nine-hit offensive assault by going 3-for-4 with her second HR of year and two RBIs. Hathaway also blasted her second HR of 2017 as part of a 1-for-2 effort with three runs scored, while senior left fielder Stephanie Wong helped set the table from the No. 2 slot in the line-up by going 2-for-2 with two tallies. Senior first baseman Kelli Hanzel (2-for-3) and freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Slack (1-for-2) were each credited with single RBIs in the triumph.

LMU managed the game's initial scoring threat during the bottom of the first after getting the leadoff batter on via a hit-by pitch. With a runner at second and one retired, Lion center fielder Amanda Dirks ripped a liner up the middle that was snagged on a terrific diving catch by Tunning to likely save a run. Wright went on to walk third baseman Alicia Brown to station two aboard but got out of the inning with no damage by inducing a foul fly out to left by first baseman Alex Finie.

After Texas left a runner stranded on Hanzel's two-out single during the top of third, LMU used the long ball to grab the lead in the bottom half. With right fielder Taylor Lockwood at second on a leadoff infield single and a stolen base, Dirks drove a two-out Wright offering just inside the left field fair pole for a two-run HR to make it 2-0.

The Longhorns offense wasted no time answering right back against Loyola Marymount starter Andy Wellins in the top of the fourth. Following a Wong bunt single to open the frame, Hathaway stepped into the box and launched the first pitch she received over the wall in right center to dead lock things on the scoreboard at 2-2. Texas' outburst continued unabated as senior designated player Mickenzi Krpec walked and Ellsworth drove the initial pitch of her at-bat through the right side. That put two more Longhorns aboard with still none retired and ended Wellins stay in the circle for LMU. Texas kept the assault going against relief pitcher Rachael Farrington as a perfect Slack sacrifice bunt, a Malory Schattle walk, a Celina Felix sacrifice fly and a Hanzel RBI single extended the Horns' advantage to 4-2.

The Burnt Orange & White continued to add to their scoreboard total in the fifth as an Ellsworth RBI single, on a blooper down the left field line, and a Slack sacrifice fly boosted the UT lead to 6-2.

A streak of six-straight LMU batters retired by Wright was broken up on a two-out Irma Sanchez walk during the fifth. Nothing came of the free pass, however, thanks to an incredible defensive play by Ellsworth. The freshman catcher raced back from her position behind the plate and crashed into the backstop fencing to secure an inning-ending grab.

Desperate for something to get LMU back in the game, Dirks christened Loyola Marymount's half of the sixth in a positive fashion with a double off the top of the wall in right center. With two outs following nice plays on foul pop-ups down the left field line from Tunning and Wong, Wright walked pinch hitter Aria Pogni and hit left fielder Brooke Christensen to load the bases and bring the potential tying run to the dish. The Huntington, Texas, native battled her way out of the jam from the circle, however, managing her eighth K of the contest by getting pinch hitter Mackenzie Kutzke swinging to leave three Lions stranded.

Texas added valuable insurance on the board in the top of the seventh against LMU reliever Maddie Rawl to take an 8-2 lead. With Hathaway on base following a lead-off walk, an advance on a foul pop-up to right and two illegal pitches combined to bring home UT's seventh tally. Ellsworth immediately followed by homering for the second time in her career on a solo shot to center.

Wright closed it out from there for the Longhorns, retiring the Lions in order during the seventh on a groundout, a fly out to left and her ninth K.