The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
14-13, 1-0
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Kansas
23-8, 0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Texas | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | 10 | 13 | 0 |
Softball opens Big 12 play with a 10-2 (5 inn.) victory over Kansas
03.23.2018 | Softball
Every Longhorns starter managed at least one hit during the commanding league triumph
AUSTIN, Texas – On a gorgeous Friday evening at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball (14-13, 1-0 Big 12 Conference) scored seven times in the first inning and registered a season-high 13 hits in rolling past Kansas (23-8, 0-1 Big 12 Conference) in the opener of a three-game league series, 10-2 (5 inn.).
Every Texas starter recorded at least one hit in the contest with sophomore left fielder Kaitlyn Washington leading the way through a perfect 3-for-3 effort at the plate with a double and a RBI. Junior center fielder Kay Kay Hayter blasted her first Burnt Orange & White HR as part of a 1-for-3, two-RBI performance, while junior right fielder Bekah Alcozer went 1-for-2 with a three-run blast and a game-high four RBIs. Freshman second baseman Janae Jefferson was 2-for-3 from the lead-off spot in the order while sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Slack (1-for-2, run) added two RBIs on a single as part of the Longhorns' seven-run first inning outburst.
In the circle for Texas, junior Brooke Bolinger (5-4) was very impressive over her 4.1 innings of work in earning the win, allowing just one hit, walking one and striking out five while retiring 11 consecutive Jayhawks. Freshman Ariana Adams permitted two runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning of relief in the fifth.
After KU left two runners stranded during the top of the first against Bolinger, Texas' offense wasted no time getting to Kansas starter Andie Formby in the bottom half, loading the bases with no outs on a Jefferson single, a Paige von Sprecken double into the left field corner and a failed fielder's choice play to third. That set the stage for UT's offensive fireworks to fully ignite as a Taylor Ellsworth RBI single up the middle, a fielder's choice grounder and a Washington base knock to right each plated a run as Texas raced to a quick 3-0 advantage. Slack stepped to the dish and made it even worse for KU by driving a shot up the middle to score two more for a 5-0 lead. The biggest blow of the inning came from an unexpected power source as the normally slap-hitting Hayter showed impressive pop with a no-doubt, two-run blast to right as the gap expanded to 7-0.
With Bolinger having settled in from the circle, the Longhorns got back in business opening the second as von Sprecken walked and freshman third baseman MK Tedder followed with a single through the left side. After Ellsworth just missed a HR on a drive to deep right field that was caught near the wall, Alcozer didn't miss, launching a line drive, three-run blast over the LF fence to make it 10-0.
Texas loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fourth inning on a Randel Leahy pinch-hit single, another Washington hit and a Malory Schattle base knock, but couldn't add to its advantage as a pop-up and a long Hayter foul-out down the right field line left the bags juiced.
RBIs off Adams in the top of the fifth by Kansas pinch hitters Jennifer Marwitz and Annie Mehringer (single) helped the Jayhawks claw back within eight. That's when the decision was made to re-enter Bolinger in the circle, and the Yucaipa, Calif., native quickly closed the door on KU by inducing a harmless fly out to left.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bolinger, Brooke (5-4)
L: Formby (11-3)
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Batting:
2B: McGinley, E. 1 ; Gayre 1
RBI: Mehringer 1 ; Marwitz 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Dellinger 1 ; Gayre 1
Batting:
2B: von Sprecken, Paige 1 ; Washington, Kaitlyn 1
HR: Alcozer, Bekah 1 ; Hayter, Ki'Audra 1
RBI: Ellsworth, Taylor 1 ; Alcozer, Bekah 4 ; Washington, Kaitlyn 1 ; Slack, Kaitlyn 2 ; Hayter, Ki'Audra 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, Janae 1 ; von Sprecken, Paige 1 ; DerMargosian, Tuesday 1 ; Tedder, MK 2 ; Alcozer, Bekah 2 ; Washington, Kaitlyn 1 ; Slack, Kaitlyn 1 ; Hayter, Ki'Audra 1
