Softball leads early but falls in series finale at No. 6 Arizona, 4-2

Sunday, March 5

Tucson, Ariz.

1 p.m.

University of Texas

11-9

#6 Arizona

18-1

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

Softball leads early but falls in series finale at No. 6 Arizona, 4-2

03.05.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Senior designated player Mickenzi Krpec gave UT a first-inning lead on a two-run HR off Danielle O’Toole

TUCSON, Ariz. – A two-run, first-inning HR by senior designated player Mickenzi Krpec and 5.1 strong innings of relief from sophomore pitcher Brooke Bolinger weren't quite enough on Sunday afternoon at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium as Texas softball (11-9) dropped its series finale at No. 6 Arizona (18-1), 4-2.

The Longhorns actually out-hit the powerful Wildcat offense, 5-3, led by senior shortstop Devon Tunning's 2-for-4 effort with a double and a run scored. Krpec was 1-for-3 while contributing her second HR of the season and two RBIs. Freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Slack and senior left fielder Stephanie Wong each went 1-for-3 at the plate.

In the circle for the Burnt Orange & White, senior starter Tiarra Davis (2-5) suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs on two hits with a pair of walks in just one-third of an inning of work. Bolinger was terrific in relief, permitting only one hit, walking two and striking out one over 5.1 frames.

"I think if you look at outcomes, you certainly don't like the result, but there are so many good takeaways from the weekend and three close games against No. 6 Arizona at their place," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "Our schedule to this point in the season may be the strongest one we've ever faced, so we just need to keep the faith regardless of what the record says.

"I thought there were some key things that stood out in places where we need to keep working, but I really like what the pitching staff brought to the table. It's important to continue figuring out when to use them and in what roles. They kept us in the games, now we need to shore up some little things on defense and hitting-wise. The process, the approach, the willingness to learn and the eagerness to come back and compete was pretty good. That's what we need to continue to be focused on and get back to work this week."

Texas' offense set an early tone against Arizona's ace Danielle O'Toole as Tunning lined the UA starter's first pitch of the game past short and to the wall in left center for a lead-off double. With a runner at third following a perfect Jade Gortarez sacrifice bunt, Krpec stepped to the dish and launched a towering two-run blast to left that landed halfway up the auxiliary bleacher section at Hillenbrand Stadium to make it 2-0. O'Toole had entered the contest having allowed just three earned runs over 61 innings of work before giving up a pair to the Burnt Orange & White during the opening one-third of an inning on Sunday.

Bidding to answer right back, the Wildcats quickly put two aboard with one out in the bottom of the first on walks to left fielder Mandie Perez and center fielder Alyssa Palomino. On a line drive to left by third baseman Katiyana Mauga, Wong corralled the ball and fired a strike that was dropped at third for an error, loading the bags full of Wildcats. Shortstop Mo Mercado followed by ripping a liner to right that was misplayed allowing two UA runners to score and dead-lock the contest. Another sharp single by second baseman Jessie Harper granted the Wildcats a 3-2 advantage as the decision was made to summon Bolinger into the contest in relief of Davis. The Yucaipa, Calif., began her efforts from the circle by fielding a bunt and tossing home to the plate for a Randel Leahy tag to retire the lead runner. A bouncer to short was handled by Tunning to end the frame, but not before Arizona had grabbed the advantage.

UA threatened again during the second, placing a pair in scoring position with two outs on a hit batter, a walk and a passed ball. Bolinger worked her way out of the jam, however, by getting dangerous clean-up hitter Mauga to fly out harmlessly to right as the 'Cats left two stranded.

An unfortunate break against the Longhorns helped Arizona improve its lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the third. With Mercado at second and one down following a lead-off single and a wild pitch, designated player Nancy Bowling lifted a routine fly ball to center. Hathaway made the catch and fired a strike towards third in an attempt to cut down the runner. Unfortunately, her toss struck the runner in the back and rolled over towards the fencing along the third base line. That proved far enough away to allow Mercado to cross easily with UA's second unearned run of the contest.

Meanwhile, O'Toole had settled in after the wild opening frame, allowing only two base runners via errors from the second through fourth innings.

Wong christened the fifth for Texas with a lead-off single through the right side. Senior first baseman Kelli Hanzel stepped into the box and hit a chopper out in front of the plate that was misplayed by the UA infield for an error, putting two aboard as the Longhorns posted its best scoring threat since the opening frame. With two down after consecutive strikeouts, a UA throw to first on a Krpec bouncer was dropped by Joelle Krist to load the bags. Unfortunately, a bouncer back to the circle was nabbed by O'Toole and tossed to first as UT missed its best chance to cut into the deficit.

With Bolinger keeping Arizona from adding to its advantage, the Burnt Orange & White managed to bring the potential tying run to the plate with two outs in the top of the seventh. With Tunning aboard on a single up the middle, a foul out to Krist outside of first ended the contest.