The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma Christian
Softball sweeps past Oklahoma Christian
03.07.2007 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The eighth-ranked Texas Softball team used a pair of complete game shutouts by senior Meagan Denny and freshman Erin Tresselt to down Oklahoma Christian, 12-0 and 3-0, Wednesday at McCombs Field. The wins moved the Longhorns to 19-3 on the year, while Oklahoma Christian fell to 6-9.
In game one Texas tallied 12 runs in the first four innings, and Denny struck out 13 batters as the Longhorns earned the victory in five innings courtesy of the run-rule. Freshman designated player Tallie Thrasher headlined the UT offense with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore leftfielder Shannon Thomas went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.
"I thought we did a good job of staying focused today," stated head coach Connie Clark. "We really focused on our own specific goals, which is what we wanted to do coming in to today's games."
Denny (11-2) surrendered just one hit in 5.0 innings of work, holding the Eagles scoreless and allowing just one Oklahoma Christian baserunner. Eagles' starter Linzi Farris (1-7) took the loss, after allowing 12 runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings of action.
"We had a lot of fun today and it was a great day for us overall," noted Denny. "Our defense really played well and I had the opportunity to work with Megan (Willis) and Kacie (Gaskin) behind the plate."
The Longhorns grabbed an early advantage in game two, and Tresselt (6-1) tossed her second consecutive complete game shutout. The freshman allowed just three hits in 7.0 innings of work, while striking out two and walking five. Sophia Johnson (5-2) suffered the loss for the Eagles, giving up three runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings.
"I felt pretty good tonight," said Tresselt. "It always helps you feel comfortable out there when you have a great defense behind you."
Loryn Johnson, Kori Cook and Thomas paced the Texas offense in the nightcap, tallying two hits apiece with Thomas scoring a pair of runs and Johnson registering three RBI.
Texas returns to action Thursday, March 8 when it travels to San Antonio, Texas to take on UT-San Antonio at 6 p.m. Live stats and Internet audio of the game will be available on TexasSports.com
Game One: Texas 12, Oklahoma Christian 0
Thrasher blew the game wide open in the first inning, slamming a three-run home run to straightaway centerfield, giving the Horns a 3-0 lead. Texas added two more runs in the second frame, using a one-out triple by Thomas, a walk by Johnson and an RBI groundout by senior catcher Megan Willis to push the tally to 5-0.
The Longhorns exploded for five more runs in the third inning, sending nine batters to the plate and tallying three hits. Thrasher led off the inning with a solo homer to right centerfield, and Cook and sophomore second baseman Kelly Melone followed with a pair of walks. Cook scored on an RBI single by Thomas, and after Johnson reached on a walk, Willis' three-run double to the left centerfield gap cleared the bases.
Texas tacked on two final runs in the bottom of the fourth, using a two-run single by Brittany Reliford to score Cook and Crystal Saenz who had reached on a walk and a base-hit.
Game Two: Texas 3, Oklahoma Christian 0
The Longhorns jumped out to an early advantage, using a leadoff triple by Thomas and a home run by Johnson to push the score to 2-0. Texas was held scoreless over the next four frames, before Johnson singled home Thomas in the sixth inning to widen the Longhorns' lead to 3-0.
Oklahoma Christian threatened with two baserunners in the final frame, but Tresselt slammed the door on the Eagles, recording her fifth strikeout of the game.
