The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Maryland
Softball falls in final frame, 3-2, to Maryland
02.23.2007 | Softball
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- The No. 10 Texas Softball team rallied from two runs down in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, but a botched intentional walk attempt in the bottom of the inning allowed a run to score, lifting Maryland to a 3-2 victory, Friday at the Palm Springs Classic.
Maryland (5-2) starter Stacey Jennings (2-1) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but lost her no-hit bid after retiring one Longhorn in the final frame. Jennings allowed her first hit of the game when sophomore rightfielder Kacie Gaskin blasted her fourth home run of the season over the left centerfield wall to pull the Horns within one.
Senior first baseman Jacqueline Williams followed Gaskin with a walk and came all the way around to score on an RBI triple by Crystal Saenz, knotting the score at 2-2.
Longhorns' junior righthander Meagan Denny came on in relief in the seventh inning and surrendered a leadoff triple to Jenny Belak. Denny retired the next Terrapins batter, but in an attempt to intentionally walk Amber Jackson she delivered a pitch over Megan Willis' head, allowing Belak to score the game-winning run.
Texas (9-3) fell behind early, allowing two runs on four hits in the Maryland half of the first inning. Terrapins' centerfielder Alex Schultz started the rally with a one-out single to centerfield and Jackson followed with a single of her own to right centerfield.
Second baseman Kari Lounge loaded the bases in the first inning with an infield single, and designated player Sarde Stewart plated Schultz with an RBI single through the left side to score the Terps first run. Maryland added its second tally on a sacrfice fly by Lindsey Ubrun that scored Jackson from third to push the Terrapins edge to 2-0.
Freshman hurler Torrey Schroeder (2-1) started the game for the Longhorns, lasting just 2.1 innings after yielding two runs on seven hits. Erin Tresselt came on in relief of Schroeder, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings before giving way to Denny in the final frame.
Texas returns to action Saturday, Feb.24 when it takes on Nevada at 12 p.m. (Central) at the Palm Springs Classic. Live stats of all of the Longhorns games at the weekend tourney will be available on TexasSports.com.
