The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
LSU
Softball uses thrilling late rally to top LSU in Houston, 8-6 (9 inn.)
10.20.2018 | Softball
Junior catcher Taylor Ellsworth completed the comeback in the ninth with a clutch two-out, two RBI double
CONROE, Texas – On Saturday night in front of a massive crowd at the Scrap Yard Sports Facility, Texas softball fought its way back from a six-run deficit by putting a six-spot on the board in the eighth and two more runs up in the ninth to rally past LSU, 8-6 (9 inn.).
With the triumph over the Tigers, the Burnt Orange & White improved to a perfect 2-0 during the 2018 fall campaign.
The Longhorns offense banged out 12 total hits in the contest, powered by a 3-for-4 effort with two doubles and two RBIs from sophomore second baseman Janae Jefferson. Junior catcher Taylor Ellsworth was 2-for-4 and contributed a clutch two-out, two-RBI double during the bottom of the ninth inning. Junior right fielder Tuesday DerMargosian was 2-for-4 with a RBI, redshirt junior center fielder Reagan Hathaway was 1-for-3 with a RBI and freshman pinch hitter Eli Espinosa was credited with a RBI on a key, eighth-inning, game-tying sacrifice fly.
In the circle for Texas, senior Brooke Bolinger earned the win in relief, striking out four over two innings of one-hit work. Sophomore Chloe Romero was also strong in relief during the middle frames, permitting just one hit over her two innings of effort.
Facing UT freshman starter Shea O'Leary, a one-out bloop single to right, a stolen base and a two-run HR combined to boost LSU to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
After Texas left Jefferson stranded at second following a one-out single in its half of the first, LSU strung together a one-out double to right center and a single to right to raise the advantage during the second frame to 3-0.
Junior shortstop Kaitlyn Slack tried to get the Longhorns offense untracked in the bottom of the second by beating out a lead-off infield single. Unfortunately, the next three hitters went down in order against LSU pitcher Shelbi Sunseri on a groundout, a pop-up and a strikeout.
The Tigers added to their lead in the top of the third against sophomore reliever Ariana Adams. After LSU got the first two aboard on a walk and a failed fielder's choice, a UT error on a throw to second and a groundout made it 4-0. A one-out double into right center soon expanded the gap further to five runs.
LSU eventually boosted its lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth after a leadoff double was cashed in on a sharp one-out single past third.
Sophomore designated player MK Tedder gave UT more life by starting off the bottom of the fifth with an infield single for the Longhorns. With a UT runner stationed at second and two outs, Jefferson stepped into the batter's box and ripped an absolute liner to third that was caught on a potential run-saving play to end the frame.
Sophomore pitchers Adams and Romero soon calmed things down from the circle during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings by putting zeroes up on the scoreboard.
Following a dominant top of the eighth from Bolinger with two K's, singles by DerMargosian and senior third baseman Ki'Audra Hayter finally ignited the Longhorns offense in the bottom half. Jefferson got Texas on the scoreboard by driving a two-run double to right center. Singles by freshman pinch hitter Janna Roberts and Hathaway, a passed ball and a Slack walk loaded the bases with still no outs. Ellsworth followed by hitting a chopper to third. The ball was fielded cleanly and tossed to the plate, but LSU's catcher failed to touch home allowing Roberts the chance to cross and cut the deficit to 6-4. From there, another Tiger passed ball and Espinosa's sacrifice line drive to left tied the score at 6-6.
LSU managed to get the leadoff on in the top of the ninth on a blooper that just popped out of the glove of diving freshman shortstop McKenzie Parker. Bolinger slammed the door from there, however, by retiring the next three batters she faced with two more strikeouts.
It was Jefferson that got the decisive outburst started for Texas during the bottom of the ninth with a bloop double to left center. With Hathaway also on base on a walk, Ellsworth stepped up with two retired and blasted a two-run base knock to right center to finalize an 8-6 triumph.
2018 Texas Softball Fall Schedule
Fri., Oct. 12 McLennan Community College W, 5-2 (9) McCombs Field/LHN
Sat., Oct. 20 vs. LSU W, 8-6 (9) 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
