The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Massachusetts
Softball wins NCAA opener over UMass, 1-0
05.20.2005 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Desiree Williams (Tucson, Ariz.) popped a two-out double, Megan Willis (Chandler, Ariz.) stroked a single to right center field to plate the game's only run and Cat Osterman (Houston, Texas) threw her fifth no-hitter of the season and second in her last three starts as the fifth-ranked and fourth-seeded Texas softball team won its NCAA Tournament opener, 1-0, over Massachusetts at McCombs Field on Friday evening in front of 1,171 fans. The victory was Texas' (43-11) eighth straight and pushed them into the winner's bracket of the double-elimination regional, where the team will face Mississippi State at noon on Saturday, May 21. Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs topped Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 1-0, to move into the winners' bracket. Massachusetts (37-15-1) will face the Islanders at 2:30 p.m. in an elimination game.
Alexis Garcia (Covina, Calif.) broke up UMass starter Barb LaFogg's no-hitter in the third inning, but the Longhorns were unable to bring her in. However, in the next frame, Williams and Willis strung together back-to-back hits to plate the game-winning run. It was Willis' fourth game-winning RBI in the last eight games, all corresponding with the Horns' current winning streak.
Osterman (25-6) cruised in the circle, striking out seven of the first nine batters and was one walk away from a perfect game as Stacy Cullington drew the free pass in the fifth inning. For the game, Osterman struck out 14, tying her own school record for strikeouts in NCAA Regional play. The no-hitter was her fifth of the season and 14th of her career. She matched her season-high in no-hitters, as she also had five as a freshman in 2002. Additionally, she now has two no-hitters in her last three starts, as she also threw a no-no against No. 24 Nebraska in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.
LaFogg (20-10) took the loss, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four and walking one.
NCAA Regional play resumes at McCombs Field on Saturday at noon with the UT-MSU game. The game will be broadcast live on SportsRadio 1300 AM The Zone.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Massachusetts Head Coach Elaine Sortino
Her general statement on the game: I thought Cat (Osterman) threw a great game tonight. We came here with a pretty good plan and did a good job at being patient at the plate. We knew what we were looking for from Cat. We didn't see her horizontal ball a lot, but when we did, we did a good job of swinging at it. I thought our players played great defense today, and Barb (LaFogg) threw a good game. I don't think anyone but our players, coaching staff and parents thought we were going to win this game. Our players are pretty persistent and are a good hitting team. We do have the potential to come up with the long ball, and we were still in the game with every pitch.
On facing Cat Osterman: We were looking for that horizontal pitch from her. She's got a great drop ball, and we were pretty disciplined about laying off the rise ball. I thought her down pitch was effective early. When Cat can go up-and-down on you like she did, you've got to have something you are looking for when you step to the plate. She didn't put too many balls on the plate today. She didn't make very many mistakes and was very sharp tonight.
Senior pitcher Barb LaFogg: I feel like we should still be playing right now. I'll go into it tomorrow knowing I can do better. I will hit my spots and keep the ball off the plate.
Texas Head Coach Connie Clark
Her general assessment of the game: It was good to pick off where we left off from the Big 12 Tournament. We were hitting at all cylinders there and it was good to see us hit well tonight. We had a good mid-inning rally that gave us all the offense we needed.
On the play of (sophomore catcher) Megan Willis and junior pitcher Cat Osterman: Megan Willis has really stepped up for us repeatedly in the post-season (including Big 12 Tournament play). I get excited to see her every time that she gets up to the plate and is in a position to drive in a run. As for Cat, she is really really fresh right now. Her arm is alive. It's good to see her perform well tonight. It gets in our heads on defense a bit when Cat is in the circle. We get complacent at times - it's natural to do that. I felt like tonight we did a good job of staying focused; sometimes that's a tough thing to do with Cat on the mound and dominating like she does.
Junior pitcher Cat Osterman: I felt very rested out there today. My arm and body both feel great after a week's worth of rest. Day to day, I am fresher in the post-season than I am during the grind of the regular season.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)