Softball utilizes every available player in 5-0 shutout of Texas Southern

Wednesday, April 19

Austin, Texas

5 p.m.

University of Texas

24-18

Texas Southern

17-14

Texas Southern

Texas

Softball utilizes every available player in 5-0 shutout of Texas Southern

04.19.2017 | Softball

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Five Texas pitchers combined to limit the Lady Tigers to only three hits in the UT triumph

AUSTIN, Texas – For the second time this season, Texas softball (24-18) utilized every available player on its roster, including all five pitchers, as the Longhorns picked up a 5-0 mid-week victory over Texas Southern (17-14) on Wednesday at Red & Charline McCombs Field.

The Burnt Orange & White offense managed seven hits in the contest led by junior catcher Randel Leahy who posted a 1-for-2 effort with a run scored, a walk, a double and a RBI. Senior Kelli Hanzel (1-for-2, RBI) and freshman catcher Taylor Ellsworth (1-for-1, RBI) each posted doubles, while junior pitcher Paige von Sprecken (1-for-1) also knocked in a tally.

In the circle for the Horns, von Sprecken (6-4) picked up the victory as the most effective reliever, striking out one over 2.0 no-hit innings of work. Redshirt sophomore Erica Wright started the game and struck out a pair during a perfect opening frame.

After Wright registered a quick one-two-three top of the first against Texas Southern with two K's, the Longhorns immediately got a threat going against TSU starter Tyra Williams. With senior shortstop Devon Tunning and senior third baseman Celina Felix in scoring position following a walk, a wild pitch and a single through the left side, Ellsworth lifted a fly ball to deep left. TSU's Gisella Paranich made an acrobatic catch on the sacrifice fly but unleashed a wild throw past third, allowing Texas to plate a pair to make it 2-0.

The Lady Tigers put two of their own aboard with one out in the second as Paranich walked and right fielder Kelsey Riley beat out an infield single. Having entered the contest in relief starting the frame, senior pitcher Tiarra Davis quickly got herself out of the jam on a strikeout and a bouncer back to the circle as TSU left two stranded.

The Burnt Orange & White offense decided to burn up the gaps during the bottom of the third as Ellsworth, Leahy and Hanzel roped consecutive doubles to the wall to expand UT's advantage to 4-0.

Facing von Sprecken in the bottom of the fifth. TSU got a runner as far as second with two retired on a hit-by-pitch and a groundout, but a strikeout of second baseman Jocilynn Ellis concluded the frame.

A Texas fielding miscue and a Madilynn Marek single to left center put two more on for the Lady Tigers against Bolinger in the top of the sixth. First baseman Chanler Powell hit a sharp shot to third that was fielded by Felix. The Montclair, Calif., product quickly stepped on the third base bag and fired across the diamond to complete an inning-ending double play.

Bidding to add more on the scoreboard in the fifth, a Bekah Alcozer lead-off walk and a passed ball put another Longhorns runner into scoring position with two outs. That set the stage for von Sprecken who helped her own cause in the circle by chopping a RBI single up the middle to finalize Texas' offensive output at five runs.

With one final opportunity to claw back into the contest, Paranich got Texas Southern off to a good start against Bolinger in the seventh by drawing a lead-off walk. UT's reliever would allow nothing else, however, as consecutive strikeouts and a routine fly out to center ended the victory.