The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma Christian
Softball surges past Oklahoma Christian in doubleheader
02.16.2006 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- After a slow start in the first game, fifth-ranked Texas exploded for 16 runs in the second run-rule shortened game of the season as the Longhorns swept Oklahoma Christian, 3-1 and 16-0 (5 inn.), in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday evening at McCombs Field.
Megan Willis was 4-for-5 with two runs batted in, Amber Hall went 4-for-7 with three RBI and Tina Boutelle went 4-for-8 with four RBI and three runs as Texas (8-1) pushed its winning streak to six games. Oklahoma Christian (2-3) fell to 0-6 all-time against the Longhorns, but did manage to score its first run in the teams' three-year series history.
Texas' 16 runs in the second game was the second-highest run total in program history, falling one shy of the school record 17 which the Horns knocked in against UT-San Antonio on April 13, 1999.
Texas set a school record with seven doubles in the nightcap, breaking the old record of six set in 1999. UT also collected nine extra-base hits, a total that included home runs by Boutelle (her fourth of the season) and Kelly Melone (second of the season).
The Longhorns also had seven stolen bases on the night, while UT pitchers Meagan Denny and Cat Osterman held the Eagles to a total of five hits while striking out 26 batters.
UT closes a three-day, six-game stretch on Friday, Feb. 17, when the team hosts Fordham in a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m. at McCombs Field.
Game 1: Texas 3, Oklahoma Christian 1
Oklahoma Christian broke Denny's 14.2 inning scoreless streak when they pushed a run across in the top of the second inning. Sandra Darmstadt led off with a single to left field and then came home on Stephanie Brandham's single up the middle two batters later. Lindsey Lawson kept the Horns off balance in the next inning, giving way to Linzi Farris in the fourth. Texas finally solved the Eagles' pitching in the bottom of the sixth when they plated three runs to take the lead. Desiree Williams drew a lead-off walk, and moved to third on Jackie Williams' single up the middle. Desiree Williams knotted the score on Melone's bloop single to right field, and Willis dropped a bunt single to score Crystal Saenz, who was running for Jackie Williams, giving UT the lead. Chez Sievers tacked on one more run when she brought in Melone with a sacrifice fly. Denny (3-1) earned the win in the complete game, striking out a season-high 13 while scattering three hits and walking two. Farris took the loss for OCU after allowing all three runs in a 3.0 inning stint, scattering six hits while striking out one and walking one. Lawson threw three two-hit innings.
Game 2: Texas 16, Oklahoma Christian 0 (5 inn.)
Texas put four runs up in the first inning, as Boutelle hit a lead-off, first-pitch home run over the left center field. Melone, who doubled two batters later, came in on a successful double steal as she swiped home. Rachael Cook, who went a career-best 3-for-3, drove in Jackie Williams with a double, and then came around to score on Willis' double. UT tacked on five more runs in the third, scoring Sievers, Cook, Willis, Desiree Williams and Boutelle all with one out. The Longhorns then exploded in the fourth for seven runs, trying its highest output in an inning this season. With one out, Osterman collected a double in her only career at-bat while stepping into the box for Sievers. Sievers scored on a wild pitch after returning to the basepaths. Boutelle's two-RBI single brought in Shannon Thomas (running for Willis) and Cook. Hall's second double of the game then plated Boutelle and Saenz, before Melone sent a towering home run down the left field line to push the score to 16-0. Osterman (5-0) earned the win in the complete game, allowing two hits while tossing her fifth consecutive shutout on the season and pushing her scoreless streak to open 2006 to 31.0 innings. Erin Bryan, the first of four OCU pitchers, took the loss after leaving the game with one out after Hall hit a liner into her leg. Rachel Seeber (2.1 inning, seven run on seven hits), Tracy Washam (0.0 inning, one hit), and Farris (1.1 inning, eight runs on eight hits) also saw action for the Eagles.
