Softball stays unbeaten in Big 12 play with 5-2 win over Texas Tech

Friday, April 13

Austin, Texas

7 p.m.

University of Texas

24-15, 7-0

Texas Tech

21-20, 1-9

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

Softball stays unbeaten in Big 12 play with 5-2 win over Texas Tech

04.13.2018 | Softball

Box Score

The Longhorns have started 7-0 in league action for only the third time in program history

AUSTIN, Texas – On a warm and muggy Friday night at Red & Charline McCombs Field, Texas softball (24-15, 7-0 Big 12 Conference) set the early tone by erupting for four runs in the first on the way to a 5-2 triumph over Texas Tech (21-20, 1-9 Big 12 Conference).

With the victory, the Longhorns improved to a perfect 7-0 in league play for only the third time in school history and for the first time since 2013. UT's four-run first inning also marked the 10th time over the last 13 games that Texas has scored at least one run during the opening frame.

UT's offense banged out seven hits on the night, including three key run-scoring doubles, against TTU starter Kassidy Scott and reliever Erin Edmoundson. Sophomore left fielder Kaitlyn Washington was 1-for-3 with a run scored, a double and two RBIs, sophomore first baseman Malory Schattle was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and junior right fielder Bekah Alcozer was 1-for-2 with a run scored, a double and a RBI.

In the circle for the Burnt Orange & White, junior Brooke Bolinger improved to 10-5 on the year after allowing two earned runs on five hits with four walks and eight strikeouts over a complete-game effort.

"We had a great practice yesterday, and I thought we brought that right into today," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "Texas Tech's always been a scrappy team. I think they've been shutout just twice this year. I know they don't get shutout a lot. They'll play you hard the entire game. I thought Brooke got better as the game went on, and she and Taylor (Ellsworth) found a little different way to set people up. Our hitters had quality at-bats all over the place. I can't go without saying too, (Kaitlyn) Slack made some big plays (at short). Really solid defense for us tonight. We needed every bit of it."

Texas Tech wasted no time getting something going against Bolinger starting the top of the first as first baseman Jessica Hartwell walked and center fielder Michaela Cochran beat out a bunt single to put two aboard with no outs. UT's starter didn't appear to be fazed by TTU's quick start, quickly escaping the jam on back-to-back strikeouts and a pop-up back to the circle.

Having gotten out of the first with no damage, Texas used more of this season's signature two-out heroics to erupt to an early 4-0 advantage. Freshman second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-4, run) got the assault underway on a leadoff single to left before advancing to second on a throwing error. Consecutive walks to sophomore catcher Taylor Ellsworth and Alcozer loaded the bags and set the stage for UT's fireworks. Washington started the outburst by blasting a double down the right field line to plate a pair. Schattle followed immediately by chopping a two-run double down the left field line to score two more.

In the top of the third, the Red Raiders cut Texas' lead in half with one out as right fielder Karli Hamilton followed a walk and a failed fielder's choice play by launching a two-run double to left center to make it 4-2. TTU had a chance for more as designated player Heaven Burton beat out an infield single. On the play, Hamilton rounded third and attempted to score, only to get cut down at the plate on a strong throw from Schattle to conclude the inning.

The Longhorns used another double to improve its advantage to 5-2 in the fifth as Alcozer knocked in sophomore pinch runner Tuesday DerMargosian on a one-out, RBI two-bagger to center.

Needing a big rally late, Texas Tech refused to quit, getting two on via a Breanna Russell leadoff single and another Hartwell walk to bring the potential tying run to the dish. That's when UT's defense delivered another big play as Cochran hit a chopper to third. Freshman third baseman MK Tedder fielded the bouncer cleanly, turned quickly and dove to tag the bag for a huge force. From there, Bolinger closed the game out in style on her eighth K as Texas won 5-2.