Softball loses Big 12-opening pitcher’s duel at Oklahoma State, 1-0

Friday, March 24

Stillwater, Okla.

6:30 p.m.

University of Texas

17-12, 0-1

Oklahoma State

20-11, 1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Texas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Oklahoma State	0	1	0	0	0	0	X	1	4	0

Softball loses Big 12-opening pitcher’s duel at Oklahoma State, 1-0

03.24.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Senior pitcher Tiarra Davis suffered a tough loss, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings of work

STILLWATER, Okla. – A second-inning solo HR from first baseman Jessi Haffner was all the offense Oklahoma State (20-11, 1-0 Big 12 Conference) needed on a blustery Friday night at Cowgirl Stadium as OSU prevailed in a conference-opening pitcher's duel over Texas softball (17-12, 0-1 Big 12 Conference), 1-0.

Oklahoma State starting pitcher Brandi Needham limited the Longhorns offense to just two hits in the match-up with UT freshman third baseman Kaitlyn Slack and senior first baseman Kelli Hanzel each managing 1-for-2 efforts at the plate.

Senior left-hander Tiarra Davis took a tough loss in dropping to 3-6 overall as the Henderson, Texas, native allowed only one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts while tossing her fifth complete game of the year.

Oklahoma State's offense made the game's only impression on the scoreboard with one retired in the bottom of the second. With a strong wind gusting straight out of Cowgirl Stadium, Haffner took advantage by launching a 1-1 offering to center for a solo HR to grant OSU a 1-0 lead.

Texas attempted to answer right back during the top of the third as singles from Slack and Hanzel stationed Longhorns at the corners with just one out. Unfortunately, UT missed a golden opportunity as consecutive groundouts to the right side of the infield left the Burnt Orange & White duo stranded.

After the UT threat went awry, both pitchers settled in from the circle until the Cowgirls got something serious going against Davis in the bottom of the fifth. Left fielder Alex Edinger and second baseman Madi Sue Montgomery led off the frame with consecutive singles before moving up 60 feet into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Center fielder Maddi Holcomb stepped into the box and ripped a liner right to senior Stephanie Wong in left. The UT outfielder delivered a strong throw, but her strike to the plate proved just late as OSU appeared to score its second tally. Edinger was judged on appeal to have left the third-base bag early, however, ending the threat and keeping the Texas deficit at just a single run.

OSU got its lead-off on to start the bottom of the sixth through a walk, but the runner was soon erased via caught stealing on a strong throw by junior catcher Randel Leahy.

Still searching for a run to extend the contest, Texas had no answer for Needham. The Cowgirl hurler retired the final 14 Longhorns she faced, including a pair by strikeout in the top of the seventh, to complete OSU's shutout victory.