Softball drops NCAA Regional pitcher’s duel at No. 5 Washington, 2-1

Saturday, May 19

Seattle, Wash.

4 p.m.

University of Texas

33-25

#5 Washington

46-8

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

Softball drops NCAA Regional pitcher’s duel at No. 5 Washington, 2-1

05.19.2018 | Softball

Box Score

The Huskies scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to rally past the Longhorns

SEATTLE, Wash. – On Saturday afternoon in NCAA Seattle Regional action at the Husky Softball Stadium, Texas softball (33-25) jumped out to an early lead but watched No. 5 Washington (46-8) rally for single runs in the fifth and seventh innings to prevail in a pitcher's duel over the Longhorns, 2-1.

The Burnt Orange & White now face a Saturday night elimination contest, at approximately 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2, against the winner of game four between No. 25/20 Minnesota and Boise State.

UT managed just two hits off UW starter Gabbie Plain as sophomore left fielder Kaitlyn Washington went 1-for-3 with a double and a RBI and senior designated player Paige von Sprecken went 1-for-3.

In the circle for the Longhorns, redshirt junior Erica Wright (5-5) took the tough loss in relief, allowing one earned run on three hits with three strikeouts over 2.1 innings. Junior Brooke Bolinger started the contest and permitted one earned run on four hits with four walks and two K's in 4.1 frames of work.

Walks got the Longhorns in immediate trouble during the top of the first as free passes to third baseman Taylor Van Zee, left fielder Julia DePonte and first baseman Kirstyn Thomas loaded the bases full of Huskies with one out. Bolinger battled her way out of the jam, however, inducing a pop-up from catcher Emma Helm before striking out designated player Noelle Hee to leave the bags packed.

It was Texas' offense that jumped to an early lead in the bottom of the second. With sophomore first baseman Malory Schattle in scoring position on a leadoff walk and a passed ball, UT's Washington stepped into the box and crushed a RBI double down the right field line, plating the runner for a 1-0 advantage.

The Huskies threatened again with two down in the fourth, putting two aboard on a Taryn Atlee walk and a Trystan Melhart single to left. Once again, Bolinger escaped any trouble as the junior left-hander got Kelly Burdick to fly out harmlessly to center to leave two more on.

Consecutive doubles off the center field wall by Van Zee and DePonte tied things up starting the fifth and forced a call to the bullpen as Wright entered in relief. That move paid immediate dividends as the Huntington, Texas, reliever struck out both Thomas and Helm looking to limit the damage to a single tally.

With Plain keeping Texas' offense under control, UW got a hit batter and a Melhart infield single to station a pair aboard with one out in the sixth. Once again, the Longhorns danced out of danger as Wright got consecutive pop-ups to short to leave two more Huskies stranded.

Needing a spark, the Longhorns got one from Washington's defense starting the bottom of the sixth as an errant throw to first allowed von Sprecken to reach. Unfortunately for Texas, Plain managed to retire the next three she faced to raise UT's left-on-base count to four.

The Huskies clawed to a 2-1 lead during the top of the seventh as a Bates leadoff double was cashed in on a one-out Thomas RBI double down the left field line.

Suddenly left with one final chance to get back into the contest in the bottom of the seventh, Texas went down in order on a fly ball to left, a strikeout and a bouncer to short.

NCAA Seattle Regional Schedule

Friday, May 18

8 p.m. CT TEXAS vs. #25/20 Minnesota – ESPN – TEXAS, 2-1

10:30 p.m. CT Boise State at #5 Washington – ESPNU – Washington, 8-0 (5)

Saturday, May 19

4 p.m. CT Game No. 3 (TEXAS vs. #5 Washington) – Washington, 2-1

6:30 p.m. CT Game No. 4 (#25/20 Minnesota vs. Boise State) –

9 p.m. CT Game No. 5 (Winner Game 4 vs. TEXAS) – ESPN2

Sunday, May 20

6 p.m. CT Game No. 6 (#5 Washington vs. Winner Game 5)

8:30 p.m. CT Game No. 7 (rematch of Game 6 - if necessary)

**All times Central