The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Utah
Softball falls to Utah, 5-4, in 10 innings
02.11.2007 | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. -- After rallying to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Texas Softball team battled Utah through 10 innings Saturday, but came up short, dropping the final game of the Kajikawa Classic, 5-4. Utah (2-2-1) scored a run in top of the 10th inning on Staci Hemingway's RBI single that scored Kara Foster, who had been placed on second during international tie-break play.
The Longhorns sixth inning offensive explosion started with a leadoff bunt single by sophomore leftfielder Shannon Thomas. Thomas advanced to second when Loryn Johnson reached on a fielder's choice and then scored on Tallie Thrasher's single through the left side. Then Johnson came home on an RBI single by senior catcher Megan Willis and Thrasher advanced to third and eventually scored the go-ahead run on a pair of wild pitches.
Trailing 4-3 going into the top of seventh, Utah pinch hitter Hailey Davenport connected for a leadoff home run to even the score at four apiece and force extra frames.
The Utes got things going in the first inning, loading the bases after a Texas error and a pair of one-out walks. After Hemingway went down on strikes, Karina Cannon delivered a fly ball to right field that was dropped by Kacie Gaskin, allowing Utah to empty the bases and claim an early 3-0 edge.
Texas (4-1) finally got on the board in the fifth, when Gaskin led off the frame with a solo home run to left field. Sophomore first baseman Kelly Melone followed Gaskin with a double through the middle, but the Longhorns failed to capitalize, stranding Melone at third base and trailing the Utes, 3-1.
Longhorns' starter Meagan Denny allowed just one hit in 4.0 innings of work, but gave way to freshman righthander Erin Tresselt (1-1), who scattered six hits over the final six frames, in the losing effort.
Utah's Meghan Dyer (2-1) earned the victory for the Utes after tossing 4.0 innings of no-hit scoreless relief.
Thrasher headlined the Texas offense with a 2-for-5 performance, scoring a run and adding an RBI.
The Longhorns return to action next weekend when they begin their home calendar at the Texas Classic. Texas' first game of the tourney is slated for a 5 p.m. start, Friday, Feb. 16 at Red and Charline McCombs Field.
