Softball drops another one-run decision at Oklahoma State, 2-1

Saturday, March 25

Stillwater, Okla.

2 p.m.

University of Texas

17-13, 0-2

Oklahoma State

21-11, 2-0

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

Softball drops another one-run decision at Oklahoma State, 2-1

03.25.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Each of Texas’ last four losses and six of the last eight defeats have been by just a single run

STILLWATER, Okla. – For the second straight game at Cowgirl Stadium, an early Oklahoma State (21-11, 2-0 Big 12 Conference) lead held up as a second-inning HR again proved the difference as OSU knocked off Texas softball (17-13, 0-2 Big 12 Conference) on Saturday, 2-1.

UT has now dropped six one-run contests so far in 2017, including each of its last four losses and six of the last eight defeats.

In the circle for the Horns, redshirt sophomore Erica Wright (3-3) suffered the loss despite allowing just one hit while walking three and striking out six. Unfortunately for the Huntington, Texas, native, the lone hit proved to be Oklahoma State second baseman Madi Sue Montgomery's two-run HR. By starting the contest with 1.1 scoreless innings of work, Wright tied her career high of 15 straight scoreless frames set back during the 2015 campaign.

The Longhorns offense managed just three hits off OSU starter Shea Coats, led by sophomore center fielder Reagan Hathaway's 1-for-3 contribution with her third HR of the campaign. Freshman catcher Taylor Ellsworth and rookie second baseman Jade Gortarez each managed 1-for-3 efforts at the plate.

A lead-off walk came back to haunt the Longhorns in the bottom of the second. With a runner aboard, Oklahoma State's Montgomery battled Wright over a 10-pitch at-bat before launching a 3-2 pitch to right for a two-run HR to grant the Cowgirls an early 2-0 advantage.

With Texas still searching for its first hit in the contest, senior Devon Tunning stepped to the dish in the top of the third and blooped a promising shot to center. For the second straight game, OSU outfielder Maddi Holcomb stole what appeared to be a sure hit from the UT shortstop with a diving catch to end the frame.

The Longhorns offense finally sparked to life against Coats with one out in the top of the fourth as Hathaway launched a 0-1 offering down the right field line for her third HR of the season to slice the Texas deficit in half at 2-1. Ellsworth followed with a sharp single back up the middle and was replaced on the base paths by freshman pinch runner Tuesday DerMargosian. With two retired, Gortarez laced a double to left center that was cut off by OSU's defense before rolling all the way to the wall. A bad throw back into the infield got away, escaping over near the Cowgirl dugout. DerMargosian rounded third and hesitated briefly before finally taking off towards the plate. Unfortunately, that brief hesitation gave Oklahoma State just enough time to recover as an eventual throw to the dish proved in time to tag out the runner and end the UT threat with no more damage.

The theme of OSU outfielders robbing Texas of hits continued into the top of the fifth as a two-out Kelli Hanzel drive into the left center gap was tracked down on a great running catch by Oklahoma State's Alex Edinger.

Still in need of a run, the Burnt Orange & White got a base runner on in the top of the sixth as senior left fielder Stephanie Wong reached via an error at third. That was all UT would get the rest of the way, however, as Coats retired the last five Longhorns she faced to secure OSU's 2-1 victory.