Softball uses Slack’s walk-off single to sweep Houston, 2-1 (8 inn.)

Sunday, April 2

Austin, Texas

5 p.m.

University of Texas

20-14

Houston

16-16

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

Softball uses Slack’s walk-off single to sweep Houston, 2-1 (8 inn.)

04.02.2017 | Softball

Box Score

Freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Slack drove a two-out RBI single up the middle to seal the win

AUSTIN, Texas – Facing a 0-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, on Sunday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field, freshman second baseman Kaitlyn Slack delivered a clutch RBI single up the middle to complete a Texas softball (20-14) doubleheader sweep of Houston (16-16), 2-1 (8 inn.).

The walk-off marked the third of the season for the Longhorns, and the first of Slack's career, following previous UT walk-offs in 2017 to defeat Louisiana Tech (6-5 on Feb. 17) and Notre Dame (4-3 on Feb. 23).

The Burnt Orange & White offense banged out eight hits, guided by senior shortstop Devon Tunning's perfect 3-for-3 effort with her team-leading eighth double and a triple. Slack was 2-for-4 with a double, junior catcher Randel Leahy was 1-for-4 with a run scored, senior left fielder Stephanie Wong was 1-for-2 and freshman designated player Taylor Ellsworth was credited with a RBI on a sacrifice fly.

In the circle, senior left-hander Tiarra Davis (4-7) picked up the win via a complete-game effort, allowing one unearned run on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over 8.0 innings.

Houston tried to get something going against Davis with two outs in the top of the first, putting two aboard on a hit by pitch and a single up the middle. That was all the Cougars could manage, however, as UT's pitcher handled a bouncer out in front of the plate to leave two UH runners stranded.

A Tunning walk and a perfect Wong infield single stationed two aboard for the Longhorns to open their half of the first. Houston started Trysten Melancon quickly battled her way clear of danger by retiring the next three hitters she faced on a pair of foul outs and a strikeout.

After Texas left two on in the second following Slack's two-bagger and a Kelli Hanzel walk, Tunning christened the bottom of the third in positive fashion by driving a triple to the wall in right center. Unfortunately, the next three UT batters again went down in order against Melancon raising Texas' left stranded count to four.

The Cougars got two more base runners on with two retired in the top of the fourth as third baseman Shelby Miller and pinch hitter Kelli Montgomery each walked. A routine pop-up to short ended the threat as the scoreless dead-lock continued

In the fifth, Texas finally struck pay dirt in taking a one-run lead over the Cougars. With two Longhorns in scoring position after a Tunning lead-off double, a Davis bloop single and a Wong stolen base, Ellsworth drove a sacrifice fly to center to make it 1-0.

Bidding to respond in the top of the sixth, Houston loaded the bases with one out on singles from Miller, center fielder Sarah Barker and designated player Elise LeBeouf. Davis got close to escaping the jam by registering a strikeout of shortstop Mariah Garcia, but a throwing error on the UT infield allowed the Cougars to score an unearned run and tie the match-up at 1-1.

Requiring extra innings to settle the contest, the Longhorns completed their sweep of the Cougars in the bottom of the eighth. After Leahy ignited the offense with a key one-out single up the middle, freshman right fielder Tuesday DerMargosian dropped a perfect sac bunt to advance the runner within 60 feet of pay dirt. That set the stage for Slack's two-out heroics as the Liberty, Texas, native drove a 0-2 pitch through the middle to score Leahy and secure the 2-1 triumph.

Texas Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Connie Clark

On Erica Wright's pitching performance in game one: I thought Erica competed very well today. I don't think she had great stuff. She didn't have her best stuff, but she always competes. She found a way to trust her stuff just enough to be able to spin the ball well even though she didn't have great locations on certain things today, so that's a good outing.

On the defense: I think the defense played really well behind her. If she would've been able to finish out the no-hitter, it would've definitely been a team no-hitter. They played a whole lot of defense today. I just think that they're starting to really come together, trust themselves a little bit more and are seeing a lot of different scenarios thrown at them now that we're getting a little deeper into the season.

On the team's overall performance: We've had a little bit more of a set lineup in the last few outings, and that's helpful. I just thought they were gritty today. I thought they didn't panic or put too much pressure on themselves. They just kept playing and competing. That's important for us. It was big to get two Ws, and with the day starting like it did with the crazy weather, you weren't sure what you were going to get. It's a beautiful day, and I thought we turned our mentality around to say, "Hey, it's game day, and we're not going to be rained out. We're playing!" Sometimes that's hard. You can get lulled in a little bit, so I thought we competed well.

Texas redshirt sophomore pitcher Erica Wright

On allowing no hits through 6.1 innings in game one: Actually, I felt like the umpire had a pretty tight zone going through the game, so Coach Clark said that today is the day you're going to have to spin it through the zone and let your defense play.

On how she kept her pitches in the zone: Just basically focusing on driving out of my legs and not thinking too much. Just focusing on one key thing and doing it and performing.

Texas freshman infielder Kaitlyn Slack

On what she saw in her at bat in game two that drove in the game-winning run: I really wasn't thinking, "I'm going to win the game right here." I was just thinking that there were two outs, and I'm going to put in play and see what happens. I was fortunate that it found a hole.

On the difference-maker in game two: I think our defense was one of the key points. We had some good plays out behind Tiarra [Davis], and she was working for us and we were working for her. So we wanted to get that win for her..