The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
No. 2 Softball stops No. 18 Baylor, 6-3, in regular season finale
05.03.2006 | Softball
WACO, Texas -- Freshman leftfielder Shannon Thomas drove home three runs with a clutch two-out triple to spark a four-run fourth inning and also scored twice, while sophomore righthander Meagan Denny registered a four-hit, seven-strikeout effort, to lift No. 2 Texas to a 6-3 Big 12 softball victory over No. 18 Baylor Wednesday night at Getterman Stadium.
It was the regular season finale for both clubs. Texas stands 49-5 overall and ends the league season with a 15-2 mark. Baylor drops to 36-18 and ends Big 12 action at 12-6. Texas is now 11-1 in its last 12 contests and 20-2 in its last 22 outings.
Both teams now await the 2006 Big 12 Championship which takes place next week (Wednesday-Saturday, May 10-13), at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Texas won the Big 12 regular season title, clinching the crown on April 30 with a 3-0 win over Oklahoma State. The Longhorns are the No. 1 seed entering the Big 12 tourney.
The full seedings and pairings for that Big 12 Championship will be announced on Sunday, May 7.
Denny pitched a complete-game for the Longhorns and moved to 17-4 with the victory. It was her 15th complete game on the year. Denny yielded four hits, and only one of the three runs she gave up was earned. She walked one in addition to striking out the seven Baylor batters.
"Today was a team effort, but getting on the mound and pitching well early helped me throw with confidence as the game went on," said Denny. "The more I play the more experience I am going to get. Every game is important and I need to play my best when I am out there on the mound."
Texas trailed 2-1 in the contest before collecting four runs in the top of the fourth inning. UT plated the four runs on three hits, one walk and one Baylor error, tagging Lady Bear starter Lisa Ferguson for all runs.
Second baseman Chez Sievers rapped a one-out double to left center, and advanced to third on a single by MicKayla Padilla who moved to second on the throw back to the infield. After an intentional walk to Jackie Williams to load the bases, Sievers was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice, with pinch hitter Kacie Gaskin reaching first on the play.
The next batter, Thomas, ripped a shot to right center field, scoring all three runners for a 4-2 Texas edge. Thomas then scored an unearned run on an leftfielder Kelly Osburn's error, as Osburn misplayed a ball hit by Desiree Williams.
Ferguson then retired the side on an outfield fly.
The RBI were Thomas' 13th, 14th and 15th of the season.
Baylor scored another run in the fifth to draw to within two, 5-3, on a leadoff home run to right center by designated player Tessa Lynam. After a line drive infield out, Baylor put another runner on base when Miriam Romero drew a walk and stole second. Denny then reared back and struck out the final two Lady Bear batters to end the inning.
"We did some extra hitting work this week and it paid off," said head softball coach Connie Clark. "It and was good to see how Meagan Denny and Megan Willis worked well together tonight. Meagan was aggressive and went after hitters. It was a good showing and great way to end the season. Denny needed to pitch well against a strong hitting team in Baylor. We wanted to get her some solid work and this was a good test."
Texas scored an insurance run in the seventh. Thomas reached on a single, stole second, advanced to third on a Tina Boutelle single, and then scored on an infield groundout to first.
Ferguson (18-12) took the loss in a complete-game effort. She gave up seven hits to the Longhorns while walking two and fanning three. Four of the six runs she allowed were earned.
Boutelle also had two hits for the Longhorns, going two-for-four at bat.
