No. 11 Softball falls to No. 8/7 LSU, 7-1

Friday, February 15

Clearwater, Florida

3 p.m. CT

University of Texas

6-1

#8/7 LSU

8-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Texas	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	7	2
LSU	2	0	2	0	3	0	X	7	8	3

02.15.2019 | Softball

Box Score

The Longhorns offense stranded 11 base runners in suffering its first defeat of the season

CLEARWATER, Fla. – On Friday evening in St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational action at the Eddie C. Moore Complex, No. 11 Texas softball (6-1) managed seven hits but left 11 base runners stranded in taking its first loss of the season against No. 8/7 LSU (8-1), 7-1.

Sophomore second baseman Janae Jefferson and junior designated player Miranda Elish each led the offense by going 2-for-4 at the plate, while sophomore catcher Mary Iakopo (1-for-2, run), sophomore right fielder Lauren Burke (1-for-3, double, RBI), and junior third baseman Malory Schattle (1-for-3) each managed single hits for the Horns offense.

In the circle, senior Brooke Bolinger (1-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts over 2.0 innings. In relief, sophomore Ariana Adams permitted three earned runs on four hits with a walk and three K's over 4.0 frames of work.

LSU struck first off Bolinger in the bottom of the first to grab a 2-0 advantage as a lead-off Aliyah Andrews single was cashed in on a two-out, two-run HR by clean-up hitter Amanda Sanchez.

The Horns tried to answer right back in the top of the second as Iakopo was struck by a pitch and Elish singled through the left side to open the frame. Unfortunately for the Horns, three consecutive groundouts left the base running duo stranded in scoring position.

The Tigers extended their advantage in the bottom of the third, after loading the bases with no outs, on a walk to Sanchez and a RBI single to deep short by catcher Michaela Schlattman. Adams was summoned into the contest in relief facing a bases loaded, no-out situation and pitched very well, allowing just the Schlattman infield single while limiting the LSU scoring damage.

Texas again put two aboard in the top of the fourth with two down as Iakopo reached on an error and Schattle lifted a single into left center. Tiger pitcher Shelby Wickersham responded to the threat, however, by inducing a foul out down the left field line as Texas' left stranded count expanded to six.

LSU raised their advantage to 7-0 with one retired in the bottom of the fifth as second baseman Shemiah Sanchez hit a three-run HR over the wall in center.

In need of a late rally, the Horns got consecutive singles from Iakopo and Elish to christen the top of the sixth. Burke stepped to the plate facing a big opportunity and launched a RBI double to the wall in right center. Iakopo raced around to score easily from second, but Elish was tagged out just short of the plate to set the LSU lead at 7-1. Schattle hit a chopper to third that was thrown low to first for an error as the Burnt Orange & White kept the outburst going with runners at the corners and one down. Unfortunately, a fly ball to shallow center and a line drive to right from redshirt junior center fielder Reagan Hathaway left two more stranded.

Down to its final three outs, Texas got a one-out walk from junior first baseman Kaitlyn Washington. Iakopo stepped in and battled with two down before driving a full count pitch to deep left that appeared to be caught at the wall to end the game. An illegal pitch was called, however, putting Iakopo at first via walk. Elish stepped to the plate and drove a shot well to right, but it was tracked down short of the fencing to end the contest.