The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UTSA
No. 4 Softball sweeps UT-San Antonio, 2-0 and 7-1
03.09.2005 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Desiree Williams (Tucson, Ariz.) hit a pair of home runs and Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) threw her second perfect game of the season in a 2-0 victory in the first game, and Christina Gwyn (Keller, Texas) went a career-best 3-for-3 with three RBI in the 7-1 victory in the second game as the fourth-ranked Texas softball team swept UT-San Antonio in a midweek doubleheader at McCombs Field on Wednesday night.
For the night, UT pounded out 11 hits, including five extra-base hits, while the pitching staff did not record a single walk while striking out a two-game total of 25 UTSA batters.
Williams tied the Longhorns' school record with her pair of homers, matching the mark previously set by five other Horns, including teammates Wynter Turner (San Pedro, Calif.) and Amber Hall (Deer Park, Texas).
Osterman's perfect game was the sixth of her career and her school-record 11th no-hitter of her three-plus year tenure. The 18 strikeouts also matched her season high, which she previously recorded in the team's 3-0, eight-inning victory over No. 4 UCLA two weeks ago. The total was also one off her school record 19 strikeouts in a regulation game.
Amy Bradford (Lufkin, Texas) took the win in the second game, pushing her record to a perfect 5-0 in five starts.
"We had productive at-bats tonight, even though we didn't always accomplish what we wanted," Texas head coach Connie Clark said. "We were more selective with the pitches we swung at, but what really broke the game open was being able to capitalize on the errors they made in that second game. We stayed on them and were able to score some extra runs.
"I thought our pitching was fantastic tonight. Cat had another outstanding performance. I say this jokingly, but in the fourth or fifth inning, the fans started getting really quiet and weren't really clapping and cheering as loud when she struck someone out. I hope they aren't getting used to it! But in all seriousness, Cat was sharp and her movement was phenomenal tonight. It was also nice to see Amy also have a great night and keep rolling with another win. Each game she's getting stronger and back into form," Clark continued.
Game 1: No. 4 Texas 2, UT-San Antonio 0
Williams connected for two solo runs in the second and fourth innings to tie the school record for home runs in a single game. Williams' first home run cleared 21st St., which runs behind the stadium, and landed three parking spots back into the adjacent parking lot. Her second home run was a shot to straight-away center field that hit the base of the scoreboard. MicKayla Padilla (Cedar Park, Texas) connected for the other UT hit. Osterman (7-2) threw 18 strikeouts in the victory for her eighth complete game of the season. She struck out the first 11 batters of the game before a Roadrunner popped up to the outfield, extending her strikeout streak to 18 consecutive batters dating back to her last outing against Evansville. UTSA's Amanda Nikolenko (8-5) also threw a complete game, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking two.
"Desiree had a great night," Clark said. "She's intimidating at the plate and she's tough to pitch to. She's been working through some things offensively and her confidence is increasing so it's nice to see good things happening for her."
Game 2: No. 4 Texas 7, UT-San Antonio 1
UT jumped on the board early, pushing four runs across in the first inning. Padilla led off with a single before Williams earned her first of two walks and Turner singled to load the bases. Jacqueline Williams (Arlington, Texas) drew a bases loaded walk to bring in Padilla, before Gwyn doubled down the left field line to plate two more runners. Jacqueline Williams came home on a throwing error from left field to cap the scoring in the inning. Three innings later in the fourth, Rachael Cook (Anna, Texas), Gwyn, Alexis Garcia (Covina, Calif.) and Melanie Jarrett (Odessa, Texas) put together four-straight hits to plate three more runs. Garcia was responsible for driving in the three runs, as she singled in Cook and Lacy Robinson (Highlands, Texas), who was running for Gwyn. Then Jacqueline Williams and Garcia both came in when the Roadrunner catcher overthrew third base in an attempt to get Williams and the ball sailed all the way to the left field wall. Bradford (5-0) put in a 6.0 inning performance, allowing one run on five hits while striking out six and walking none, before giving way to Lizi Sowers (Georgetown, Texas) who threw the final inning, allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout. UTSA's lone run came in the third inning when Krystal Gibson smacked a home run, pushing the Roadrunners' season total to 42 round-trippers.
"Chris was hot tonight," Clark said. "She's been tremendous in practice and she's definitely earned her way into the lineup in that designated player spot. It's hard to keep her out of games because she's earned that job with how well she's been playing lately. That's a problem I'm glad I have."
The Longhorns return to action on Friday, March 11, when they host UTEP in a doubleheader at McCombs Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
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