The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oregon State
Softball downs No. 6 Oregon State, 2-0
02.25.2007 | Softball
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- Sophomore right-handed pitcher Meagan Denny tossed a complete game shutout, striking out ten hitters, as the No. 10 Texas Softball team knocked off No. 6 Oregon State, 2-0, Sunday at the Palm Springs Classic. The Longhorns concluded tournament play with a 4-1 record and pushed their season mark to 12-3.
After going down in order in the first inning, Texas broke a 0-0 tie when freshman designated player Tallie Thrasher put a charge into a two-out offering by Oregon State hurler Brianne McGowan (5-2). Thrasher blasted her second home run in as many days, sending a shot over the right centerfield wall.
Oregon State (8-5) used a leadoff single by designated player Lisa Hill and a pair of sacrifices to advance pinch runner Paige Lowe in the second inning. However, the Beavers threat came up short when Meagan Denny (7-1) induced an inning-ending lineout by Dani Chisolm, retiring the side and preserving UT's 1-0 advantage.
"Today was another exciting game against a Top 10 team," noted Denny. "I felt like I was in control from the beginning of the game, and I was happy with the way that I was hitting my spots today."
The Longhorns added a tally in the sixth inning, with sophomore second baseman Shannon Thomas starting the rally with a single through the left side. Freshman shortstop Loryn Johnson followed Thomas with a walk, and both runners advanced on a double steal. Beavers' catcher Stefanie Ewing's errant throw on the steal, allowed Thomas to score from third and pushed the Texas lead to 2-0.
"Playing a tough and well respected opponent like Oregon State our team did an exceptional job of staying mentally tough and focused throughout the entire game," commented assistant coach Corrie Hill.
Denny improved to 7-1 with the victory, tallying her second complete game shutout of the weekend, while striking out 10 batters and scattering five hits over 7.0 innings of work. McGowan suffered the loss for Oregon State, throwing a complete game, surrendering two runs on six hits, while striking out eight hitters.
Thrasher headlined the Texas offense on the day, tallying three hits in three plate appearances, adding one run scored and an RBI.
"Tallie (Thrasher) is continuing to grow as she progresses through her freshman season," stated Hill. "She is doing a lot better job of taking the pitches that she is receiving and using them to her strength."
Texas returns to action Friday, March 2 when it takes on Sam Houston State at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. Live stats, Internet audio and Internet video will be available on TexasSports.com and TexasSports.TV for all of Texas' games at the three-day tourney.
