The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
McLennan Community College
Softball opens fall slate with a 5-2 win over McLennan Community College
10.12.2018 | Softball
The Longhorns took control with a three-run fifth inning highlighted by Kaitlyn Slack’s two-run double
AUSTIN, Texas – The Mike White era got off to a successful start on Friday night at Red & Charline McCombs Field as Texas softball christened its 2018 fall campaign with a 5-2, nine-inning victory over McLennan Community College.
Pitching controlled the early going for both teams as UT senior lefthander Brooke Bolinger kept MCC's hitters at bay over the first three innings of the contest.
The Longhorns offense got something going in the bottom of the third as senior outfielder Kay Kay Hayter beat out an infield hit, and junior outfielder Kaitlyn Washington followed with a single to put two aboard. Unfortunately for Texas, redshirt junior center fielder Reagan Hathaway was robbed of a hit on a diving play in the outfield to leave the pair stranded.
After missing an opportunity in the third, the Burnt Orange & White wouldn't miss one during the bottom of the fifth. Hayter again got the offense started with an infield single before swiping second. Washington stepped to the dish and blasted a RBI double to right to plate Hayter for a 1-0 lead. Following a perfect bunt single by sophomore second baseman Janae Jefferson, junior shortstop Kaitlyn Slack delivered the hit of the game with a two-RBI double down the line to make it 3-0.
McLennan Community College refused to go quietly, however, by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to claw within a tally at 3-2.
UT responded to the threat by loading the bases in the seventh on a pair of walks and a hit batter. From there, a MCC error plated a run, while freshman infielder Eli Espinosa delivered a sacrifice fly to restore Texas' three-run advantage.
Freshman pitcher Shea O'Leary entered the circle and ended the eighth with a strikeout before fighting her way out a bases-loaded situation in the top of the ninth to finish off Texas' 5-2 triumph.
2018 Texas Softball Fall Schedule
Fri., Oct. 12 McLennan Community College W, 5-2 McCombs Field/LHN
Sat., Oct. 20 vs. LSU 7 p.m. CT Scrapyard Field/Conroe, Texas
Wed., Oct. 24 Galveston College 4:30 p.m. CT McCombs Field/LHN
Blinn College 7 p.m. CT McCombs Field/LHN
Sat., Oct. 27 Weatherford College Noon CT McCombs Field
St. Edward's 2 p.m. CT McCombs Field
Sun., Nov. 4 Texas Alumni Game 11 a.m. CT McCombs Field/LHN
Fri., Nov. 9 Texas State 6 p.m. CT McCombs Field
