Softball drops its series finale to Iowa State, 4-2

Sunday, April 23

Austin, Texas

11 a.m.

University of Texas

25-20, 4-8

Iowa State

18-32, 3-12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Iowa State	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	4	9	1
Texas	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	6	2

Softball drops its series finale to Iowa State, 4-2

04.23.2017 | Softball

Box Score

A crucial Texas defensive miscue during the first inning led to a pair of Cyclone runs

AUSTIN, Texas – On Sunday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Iowa State (18-32, 3-12 Big 12 Conference) managed nine hits and got two crucial unearned runs on a Texas error during a tone-setting first inning outburst as the Longhorns (25-20, 4-8 Big 12 Conference) dropped the final game of their series against the Cyclones, 4-2.

Offensively, UT registered six total hits off ISU starter Emma Hylen with senior third baseman Celina Felix and freshman catcher Taylor Ellsworth leading the way by each going 1-for-3 with single RBIs.

In the circle for the Longhorns, junior right-hander Paige von Sprecken (6-5) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts over 5.0 innings of work. Sophomore Brooke Bolinger struck out a pair and permitted just one hit during 2.0 scoreless frames of relief.

"We played against a team, and I think you saw it today, that had really good bat control and were able to execute the short game when they needed to," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "We weren't able to execute that yesterday or today when it was critical to move runners from station-to-station and get them home. We also didn't take care of the ball defensively, so we gave them so much extra momentum. We just have to be able to shore that up.

"I think team 2017's legacy is still out in front of them. You have to really reach deep and decide if you're going to keep plugging forward and keep competing and working, even when your backs are against the wall. The game is challenging at times, and we're in a challenging place. We just have to come back to work on Tuesday and keep working to get better."

Starting the top of the first, consecutive singles from second baseman Sami Williams and left fielder Kaila Konz got the Cyclones off to a quick start against von Sprecken. UT's hurler got close to escaping the early jam on a strikeout and a fielder's choice that cut down a runner at second. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, a fielding error on the infield allowed ISU to plate two unearned runs as Iowa State nabbed an early 2-0 lead.

With two retired in the bottom of the first, Felix hit a line drive to center that hit off the glove of ISU center fielder Kelsey McFarland for an error allowing UT's third baseman the opportunity to race into third. That set the stage for another clutch Ellsworth hit as the Georgetown, Texas, native quickly trimmed the Texas deficit in half by driving a RBI single up the middle.

A Stephanie Wong lead-off base knock started a game-tying rally for the Burnt Orange & White during the third. With the UT speedster within 60 feet of pay dirt after a passed ball and a groundout, Felix beat out an infield single for a RBI as Wong crossed easily to dead-lock the scoreboard count at 2-2.

With ISU looking to answer right back, designated player Megan Schweitzer christened the top of the fourth with a sharp shot through the left side of the infield for a lead-off double. A sacrifice, a bunt single and a stolen base put two in scoring position with still only one down in the frame. The small ball soon continued as a squeeze bunt off the bat of third baseman Talyn Lewis proved just enough to score Schweitzer from third and hand Iowa State back the advantage at 3-2. The Longhorns limited the damage as von Sprecken's third K and a chopper to second left two Cyclones stranded.

The lead expanded to 4-2 in the fifth as Iowa State catcher Kaylee Bosworth knocked home first baseman Nychole Antillon on a sacrifice fly to center.

Trying to provide some offensive life for the Horns, von Sprecken laced a double down into the left field corner with two outs in the sixth. Senior first baseman Kelli Hanzel stepped into the box and lifted a promising shot to deep left center, but ISU's McFarland managed to track it down just short of the wall to end the frame with no damage.

With one final chance to extend or perhaps win the contest in the seventh, sophomore pinch hitter Bekah Alcozer got the Burnt Orange & White off to the right start by driving a single into left center. One out later, senior pinch hitter Mickenzi Krpec followed with a bloop single to center, putting the potential tying run on base for the top of the Longhorns batting order. Unfortunately, that was all Texas could string together as a groundout and a liner to short ended the game.