Softball drops Texas Invitational finale to No. 20 Michigan, 4-0

Sunday, February 25

Austin, Texas

2:30 p.m.

University of Texas

6-8

#20 Michigan

8-6

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

Softball drops Texas Invitational finale to No. 20 Michigan, 4-0

02.25.2018 | Softball

Box Score

The Longhorns offense managed just four hits off Wolverines ace Meghan Beaubien in the loss

AUSTIN, Texas – On Sunday afternoon in Texas Invitational play at Red & Charline McCombs Field, No. 20 Michigan (8-6) put up a four-spot during the second inning on the way to defeating Texas softball (6-8) in both teams' event finale, 4-0.

The Longhorns offense managed just four hits off UM ace Meghan Beaubien with junior right fielder Kay Kay Hayter (1-for-3), sophomore center fielder Tuesday DerMargosian (1-for-2), sophomore catcher Taylor Ellsworth (1-for-3) and sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Slack (1-for-3) all registering a base knock.

In the circle, senior right-hander Paige von Sprecken dropped to 3-2 overall after allowing four earned runs on just five hits with two walks and two strikeouts over her team-leading third complete-game effort of the season.

"(Beaubien) is a quality pitcher," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "She spins the ball and works it through all zones. She has more than one look. Just when you think you're going to see the curve ball, she'll slip a screw ball in and work those all at different planes. She tough, and I thought we made some adjustments. About halfway through the game, we really tried to dial it down and shorten things up. I thought we looked better with that, but just didn't get some of the outcomes we wanted. What it's about right now is learning to make adjustments, and make them at a quicker pace, when you're facing quality pitching.

"There are ups-and-downs through a season. We've got to stay really positive with this young group and know that we have some ways we need to continue to learn and grow. I did see some very good things as well, so I told them to pull the good things, whether it's just competing or actually making mechanical adjustments. One through 18 we need to get better, but among our athletes, there were some really good things from this weekend."

It was Michigan that jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second as a Madison Uden bunt single, a Haley Hoogenraad base knock through the left side, a hit batter and an Amanda Vargas walk combined to plate the Wolverines' first tally. Second baseman Faith Canfield hit a chopper towards Janae Jefferson at second. Texas' freshman infielder corralled the ball and tagged the runner on the way to second, but Hoogenraad scored from 60 feet away on the fielder's choice to make it 2-0. UM's advantage expanded even further to 4-0 with two down as center fielder Natalie Peters lifted a two-RBI bloop single just over short and onto the outfield grass.

Texas got its first base runner off Michigan starter Beaubien with two down in the third as DerMargosian chopped a perfect slap single to deep short. Jefferson drove a ball up the middle that had potential, but UM second baseman Canfield ranged over to collect the ball and just beat the runner to second to end the frame.

An MK Tedder walk and a Slack single to right got the Longhorns off to a positive start during the bottom of the fifth. With two in scoring position following a bouncer back to the circle, sophomore left fielder Kaitlyn Washington hit a sharp shot, but right back to the circle as the runners advanced on the fielder's choice. Unfortunately for Texas, the duo never moved from those spots as a strikeout and a grounder to short left them stranded.

The Burnt Orange & White mounted another rally attempt with one out in the sixth as Hayter singled and moved to second on a throwing error and Ellsworth beat out a base knock up the first-base line. Once again, Beaubien got out of the jam, this time by posting consecutive strikeouts as Texas' left-on count expanded to five.

That proved to be Texas' last chance in the contest as the Horns went down in order in the bottom of the seventh to wrap up UM's victory.