Softball loses on walk-off double at No. 6 Arizona, 2-1

Saturday, March 4

Tucson, Ariz.

7 p.m.

University of Texas

11-8

#6 Arizona

17-1

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

Softball loses on walk-off double at No. 6 Arizona, 2-1

03.04.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Texas senior designated player Mickenzi Krpec tied the contest in the fifth on a RBI single

TUCSON, Ariz. – Texas softball (11-8) battled No. 6 Arizona (17-1) hard throughout another close game on Saturday night at Hillenbrand Stadium but watched as the Wildcats registered a two-out, walk-off double to win, 2-1.

The Burnt Orange & White offense managed seven total hits in the contest, guided by a 2-for-3 effort at the plate from senior shortstop Devon Tunning. Senior designated player Mickenzi Krpec was 1-for-3 with a walk and knocked in UT's lone run, while sophomore right fielder Bekah Alcozer added her first double of the season as part of a 1-for-3 performance with a run scored. Freshman pinch hitter Malory Schattle (1-for-1), junior catcher Randel Leahy (1-for-3) and freshman second baseman Jade Gortarez (1-for-3) each contributed hits for the Burnt Orange & White.

In the circle for Texas, junior pitcher Paige von Sprecken (3-1) went the whole way in suffering a tough defeat, allowing only one earned run on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Arizona starter Taylor McQuillin got herself in a little trouble right from the start during the top of the first as the Longhorns got a Tunning lead-off single through the right side and a Krpec walk to station two aboard with just one out. The UA hurler quickly got herself clear of the early jam, however, by registering her second strikeout of the frame and inducing a pop-up to third.

A lead-off Mandie Perez walk, a single to right from catcher Dejah Mulipola and a free pass to third baseman Katiyana Mauga got the Wildcats in immediate business of their own in the bottom of the first as UA loaded the bases with one out. After Gortarez handled a bouncer to second and tossed home to Leahy for a force play to prevent a run, a two-out fielding error on the Texas infield allowed the 'Cats to nab an unearned 1-0 lead.

Texas threatened again in the fourth as Leahy's lead-off base knock and a perfect bunt single from Gortarez set Horns runners at the corners with one retired. Once again, McQuillin fought her way out of trouble, registering consecutive strikeouts as UT's left-on-base total expanded to five.

Starting the bottom of the fourth, UA first baseman Jessie Harper ripped a double to the wall in right center. That's when UT's defense delivered an important play as von Sprecken fielded a chopper to the circle, turned and started a rundown that retired Harper for the initial out. A little Wildcat small ball on consecutive infield singles from right fielder Ashleigh Hughes and second baseman Reyna Carranco packed the bases with still only one out. This time it was von Sprecken's turn to dance her way out of danger as the Yorba Linda, Calif., native handled a liner back to the circle before striking out Mulipola on a 3-2 pitch to keep the Burnt Orange & White's deficit at just a single tally.

Texas finally got the big hit it needed to put a run on the scoreboard during the top of the fifth. With Alcozer standing at second after opening the frame with a line drive double off the center field wall, Tunning did her job perfectly by moving her teammate within 60 feet of pay dirt on a sac bunt. That set the stage for a clutch two-out RBI single from Krpec as her liner glanced off the glove of leaping Arizona first baseman Harper. With the ball rolling towards the fencing along the first base line, Alcozer scored easily to tie the contest at 1-1.

After Texas wasted a lead-off single by Tunning in the top of the seventh, Arizona put together the game-winning rally during the bottom half. With one out, Perez was struck by a von Sprecken offering, and Mulipola followed with a single through the left side to put two Wildcats aboard. Within one out of requiring extra innings to settle things, Mauga stepped to the dish and drove a 2-2 pitch to right center for a double as Perez scored the winning run to seal UA's 2-1 victory.