The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
UTSA
Softball downs UT-San Antonio, 6-1
03.22.2007 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The eighth-ranked Texas Softball team used a 3-for-4 performance by freshman shortstop Loryn Johnson to knock off UT San Antonio Thursday night in non-conference play at McCombs Field. The win moved the Longhorns to 24-6 on the year, while the Roadrunners season mark fell to 16-17.
The Longhorns exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, pushing all five runs across with two outs. Sophomore third baseman Crystal Saenz started the rally by reaching on a UTSA error, and senior Jacqueline Williams followed Saenz with a single to leftfield. The next batter, junior leftfielder MicKayla Padilla, brought Saenz and Williams both home with a two-run triple that moved the UT advantage to 3-1.
Texas' sophomore second baseman Shannon Thomas reached on an error to keep the rally going, and she scored on Johnson's RBI double to left centerfield. Pinch runner Brittany Chalk then added the Longhorns' final tally when she came home on freshman designated player Tallie Thrasher's RBI single that pushed the final score to 6-1.
"Tonight we came out with a focused game plan, and we were able to address some very specific parts of our offense," stated head coach Connie Clark. "We are swinging the bat very well, and it is always nice when a game plan comes together."
After three innings of scoreless play, sophomore rightfielder Kacie Gaskin delivered the game's first run when she led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to right centerfield, giving UT a 1-0 edge.
Freshman righthander Erin Tresselt (7-1) entered the game for the Horns in the sixth inning in relief of fellow freshman Torrey Schroeder, who combined with junior hurler Meagan Denny to hold the Roadrunners scoreless over the first five frames.
"I've been working in the bullpen both physically and mentally with my pitches," noted Schroeder. "Tonight I just came out throwing and working pitch-to-pitch."
Tresselt allowed UTSA's lone run of the game in the sixth, surrendering a one-out hit to leftfielder Lindsay Perry and a RBI single to Aimee Murray that scored Perry and knotted the game at one apiece.
Tresselt earned the victory after tossing 2.0 innings and allowing one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one. Roadrunners' starter Janeille Nickels (7-7) took the loss for UTSA, going 5.2 innings and surrendering four runs on 10 hits.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, March 24 when it kicks off Big 12 Conference play against No. 3 Oklahoma at McCombs Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. and live stats, Internet audio and Internet video of the game will be available through TexasSports.com.
