The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Notre Dame
Softball blanks Notre Dame, 3-0
03.18.2007 | Softball
FULLERTON, Calif. -- Junior right-handed pitcher Meagan Denny tossed a complete game one-hitter to lead the eighth-ranked Texas Softball team to a 3-0 victory over Notre Dame, Saturday evening at the Judi Garman Classic. The victory improves the Longhorns record to 3-2 for the tourney and advances UT to the consolation bracket semifinals. Denny's second shutout of the tournament moved Texas' season mark to 23-5, while Notre Dame fell to 9-11 on the year.
Texas (23-5) jumped out to an early lead, when sophomore rightfielder Kacie Gaskin delivered a bases-loaded RBI single in the first inning that gave UT a 1-0 advantage.
The Longhorns increased their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, using a leadoff single by freshman designated player Tallie Thrasher to start the rally. Senior catcher Megan Willis followed Thrasher, reached on a fielder's choice and came home on Gaskin's two-run opposite field home run. The home run was the seventh roundtripper of the season for Gaskin and her second long-ball of Texas' road trip.
Denny (15-4) earned the victory for Texas after throwing 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking none and striking out 13 Irish batters. Notre Dame's starter Brittney Bargar (6-7) took the loss for the Fighting Irish, surrendering three runs on eight hits, while walking two and striking out four.
Gaskin and Thrasher headlined the Texas offense on the night, tallying three hits apiece, with Gaskin adding three RBI and one run scored. Senior first baseman Jacqueline Williams added the Longhorns other two hits.
Texas returns to action Sunday, March 18 when it takes on No. 12 Washington in the Judi Garman Classic consolation semifinals at 12:30 p.m.
