Softball loses regular-season finale at No. 19/18 Baylor, 2-0

Sunday, May 6

Waco, Texas

2 p.m.

University of Texas

30-23, 0

#19/18 Baylor

35-14, 0

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

Softball loses regular-season finale at No. 19/18 Baylor, 2-0

05.06.2018 | Softball

Box Score

UT returns to action at 11 a.m. CT on Fri., May 11, against Iowa State in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship

2018 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship Bracket

WACO, Texas – Eight stranded base runners and a costly fourth-inning error hurt Texas softball (30-23, 10-8 Big 12 Conference) dearly on Sunday afternoon at Getterman Stadium, as the Longhorns dropped their regular-season finale at No. 19/18 Baylor (35-14, 12-6 Big 12 Conference), 2-0.

The Burnt Orange & White now begin preparations to open postseason play at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship on Fri., May 11, in Oklahoma City, Okla. As the No. 4-seed, Texas will open its tournament run against sixth-seeded Iowa State at Integris Field, within the USA Hall of Fame Stadium Complex, live on FloSoftball at 11 a.m. CT.

The Longhorns managed to out-hit the Lady Bears, 6-3, guided by two-hit efforts from freshman second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-4) and sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Slack (2-for-3, double). Senior pitcher Paige von Sprecken (1-for-3) and sophomore first baseman Malory Schattle (1-for-2, walk) managed UT's other hits. For Jefferson, the performance improved her league-leading batting average (counting Big 12 games only) to .533, while her 32 total hits marked the second-most by any player in a league campaign in Big 12 history.

In the circle for UT, von Sprecken (10-10) took the tough loss in a complete-game effort, allowing two unearned runs on just three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

A first-inning leadoff single by Jefferson made it a clean sweep for the freshman in league play as the Humble, Texas, native managed to reach base safely in all 18 Big 12 games in 2018. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, the squad missed taking advantage of a pair of golden opportunities to take an early lead during the opening two innings, leaving three runners stranded over that stretch, including second and third with two outs in the first.

Baylor finally managed its first hit and base runner starting the bottom of the fourth as center fielder Jessie Scroggins laced a single to right. That hit seemed to put a charge in the BU offense, as a fielding miscue on the UT infield and a walk to first baseman Shelby Friudenberg loaded the bases with still no one retired. Third baseman Goose McGlaun stepped into the box and lifted a foul ball down the left field line. From her defensive position in left, sophomore Tuesday DerMargosian raced over and made a terrific diving catch for the first out as Scroggins scored easily on the sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. With the bags re-loaded on another walk, second baseman Nicky Dawson lifted a sac fly to right center, plating Kyla Walker for a 2-0 lead. UT limited the damage to two runs, however, as a relay from senior right fielder Randel Leahy to sophomore catcher Taylor Ellsworth to freshman third baseman MK Tedder cut down a runner at third to end the outburst.

With Texas searching for an offensive spark, Jefferson provided one by christening the sixth with a single through the left side of the infield. Baylor quickly made a move to the bullpen, bringing in ace Gia Rodoni for starter Regan Green. The new hurler immediately allowed a single to von Sprecken, and Ellsworth later battled over an 11-pitch at-bat before reaching on an error to load the bases with still just one out. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, a fly out to shallow left and a strikeout left the trio aboard as UT's stranded count expanded to six.

Needing a seventh-inning rally, Texas got something started as Schattle walked to open the frame and Slack followed by launching a double off the wall in right. Once again, the theme of missed opportunities reared its ugly head as a pop-up to the catcher and consecutive strikeouts ended the contest with the potential tying run at second.