The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
#6/7 Oklahoma State
No. 16 Softball falls on walk-off HR at No. 6/7 Oklahoma State, 3-2 (9 inn.)
04.22.2022 | Softball
Texas junior designated player McKenzie Parker blasted her seventh HR of the season during the loss
STILLWATER, Okla. – On Friday night in front of 873 fans at Cowgirl Stadium, a walk-off, ninth-inning HR powered No. 6/7 Oklahoma State (36-7, 12-1 Big 12 Conference) to a series-opening, 3-2 (9 inn.) victory over No. 16 Texas (32-13-1, 7-3 Big 12 Conference).
Notes
- The last time Texas played nine innings was in a 3-2 (9 inn.) loss to Oklahoma State during pool play at the 2021 Big 12 Championship (May 14).
- Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson continues to sit at 330 career hits, just three from breaking the Big 12 Conference career hits record (Sami Williams – 332 hits).
- Jefferson drew a walk to stretch her reached base streak to a season-high 12 games.
- Texas dropped to 1-2 this season in extra-inning contests (loss vs. Louisiana on March 30, 6-5 (8 inn.) & win over Iowa State on April 2, 11-10 (8 inn.))
- Junior designated player McKenzie Parker is third on the squad in HR's after blasting her seventh of the season in the loss to the Cowgirls.
Major Players
Junior designated player McKenzie Parker (2-for-4, run, HR, two RBIs); sophomore shortstop Alyssa Washington (2-for-4);
In the Circle
Senior Hailey Dolcini (14-6) suffered the tough loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits with two walks and six K's over 8.1 innings of work.
The Details
Oklahoma State jumped to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as right fielder Katelynn Carwile hit a two-run HR to left center.
Looking to answer right back, the Burnt Orange & White strung together a threat of their own in the top of the second thanks to a little Cowgirl help. Washington started things off by beating out an infield single to deep short and moving into scoring position on a throwing miscue. Senior first baseman Lauren Burke stepped up and hit a bouncer to short for a single to put two on with one out. Unfortunately, a fielder's choice to third and a swinging K ended a big early UT scoring chance.
After Dolcini struck out the Oklahoma State side in the second, Jefferson christened the Texas third by drawing a leadoff walk. That set the stage for Parker to flex her power as the Conroe, Texas, product launched a two-run shot out to center to tie things up at 2-2.
The Cowgirls immediately loaded the bases with one out in the OSU third on a double to right, that barely popped out of the glove of diving Lou Gilbert when she hit the ground, an error and walk. With two retired, Oklahoma State catcher Julia Cottrill lifted a fly ball to shallow right. Gilbert raced in to make the catch and fired a strike to the plate for a double play that ended a huge opportunity with no damage.
Neither team seriously threatened again during the remainder of regulation as OSU starter Kelly Maxwell and Dolcini kept things quiet from the circle. That included a string of 15 straight Cowgirls retired by UT's ace from the fourth through the ninth innings.
UT did manage single base runners in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth frames, but couldn't string together enough to break the deadlock.
The end came suddenly with one down in the bottom of the ninth as Cottrill finalized Oklahoma State's 3-2 win on a walk-off solo HR to left.
