The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
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Kansas
Softball battles back to split series with Kansas
04.08.2007 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- After struggling in game one of its Big 12 Conference doubleheader, the Texas Softball team battled back in game two to split the series 1-1 with Kansas. Texas (28-10, 3-4 Big 12) dropped the series' first game 2-0, managing just two hits, but battled back in game two, recording five hits and downing Kansas (27-14-1, 3-3 Big 12), 3-2.
Texas fell behind 1-0 early in game two, but a three-run fourth inning that saw Kansas commit three errors provided UT all the offense it would need. Freshman shortstop Loryn Johnson led off the frame with a walk and advanced to second on Tallie Thrasher's sacrifice bunt. Senior catcher Megan Willis followed, reaching on a KU error and freshman leftfielder Torrey Schroeder loaded the bases when she was issued a two-out walk.
An error by Jayhawks' shortstop Stevie Crisosto allowed Johnson to come home and a two-run single by senior first baseman Jacqueline Williams plated Willis and Schroeder, pushing the UT advantage to 3-1.
"After striking out twice in the first game I came out and made some adjustments in game two," Williams said. "I just wanted to put the ball in play."
The Jayhawks rallied back in the fifth, using a leadoff double by Ally Stanton to start the frame. Stanton advanced to third on a sacrifice and came home on a botched pickoff attempt by Willis. The run would prove to be all the offense Kansas could muster, as Texas' starter Erin Tresselt held KU scoreless over the final two frames.
Tresselt (8-1) earned the victory for the Longhorns, tossing a complete game five-hitter, allowing just two runs, while fanning five and walking zero. Jayhawks' starter Kassie Humphreys (13-7) suffered the loss for KU after going 3.2 innings and surrendering three runs on two hits before giving way to Sarah Vertelka.
"Erin (Tresselt) had a great outing for us in the second game and Denny did plenty enough for us to win in game one," head coach Connie Clark said. "We had a couple of bright spots today, but we really need to work on finding a way to pounce on opportunities when they present themselves." In game one, Willis and sophomore rightfielder Kacie Gaskin recorded the Longhorns only hits, as junior righthander Meagan Denny (18-9) suffered the loss for UT, scattering seven KU hits, while allowing two runs in seven innings of work.
In addition to tossing a complete game shutout in game one, Humphreys sparked the Jayhawks second inning rally, notching a one-out double to start the effort. Humphreys advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and came home on centerfielder Dougie McCaulley's RBI single.
Kansas added its second run of the game in the seventh, using a leadoff single by McCaulley to start the inning and an RBI single by Stevie Crisosto to give KU a 2-0 edge.
Texas returns to action Wednesday, April 11 when it welcomes No. 11/16 Baylor to McCombs Field. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on CSTV.
