The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
Hooks' blast lifts Softball past Texas State, 5-4
02.13.2008 | Softball
SAN MARCOS, Texas -- A three-run seventh-inning home run by freshman catcher Amy Hooks propels No. 24 Texas to a 5-4 victory over Texas State, Wednesday night at Bobcat Field. The victory moved the Longhorns to 3-1 on the year, while the Bobcats fell to 2-3 on the season.
In the top of the seventh, sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson started the Horns' rally by reaching base on a walk. Sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher followed with a single through the left side, setting the table for freshman catcher Amy Hooks, who blasted her first career home run to left centerfield, giving UT a 5-4 lead.
Senior hurler Meagan Denny (3-0) earned the victory for Texas, throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief and fanning three batters. Denny relieved freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill who surrendered four runs in 5.2 innings of work, while striking out nine Bobcats. Texas State starter Ragan Blake (1-2) suffered the defeat for the Bobcats, tossing 6.1 innings and allowing eight hits and eight walks.
Texas State claimed the lead in the sixth, using a three-hit two-run rally to grab a 4-2 edge. Shortstop Alex Newton jumpstarted the rally with a leadoff double to left centerfield and advanced to third on a stolen base. Designated player Jill Kloesel reached on a fielder's choice and stole second to move into scoring position. A single down the rightfield line by Jetta Weinheimer scored Newton and an infield single by Lacey Duncan scored Kloesel to give Texas State a 4-2 lead.
The Longhorns jumped out to an early lead in the first, claiming a quick two run advantage. Junior first baseman Desiree Williams led off the frame with a walk and came home when Johnson blasted a first pitch offering over the left centerfield wall for her first home run of the season.
Texas State rallied in the bottom of the third, plating a pair of runs to even the tally, taking advantage of second baseman Ryan Kos' lead off single to leftfield. Kos advanced to second when freshman leftfielder Shelby Savony misplayed the ball the base hit. Centerfielder Kristina Tello followed with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch that scored Kos from third. Newton brought Tello home with a double to right centerfield, but UT fought off any further damage when Barnhill induced an inning-ending groundball double play.
In the fifth, the Bobcats retired the Horns' leadoff hitter, but Williams followed with a walk and advanced to third on Johnson's double to right centerfield. Texas State then issued an intentional walk to sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher to load the bases. The Bobcats worked out of the jam, retiring the next two Texas hitters and leaving three Longhorns stranded on base.
Johnson and Thrasher headlined the Texas offense on the night, recording two hits each. Johnson added two walks and a pair of RBI, while Hooks paced the Horns with three RBI.
Texas returns to action Friday, Feb. 15 at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational. Game times will be finalized on Thursday, Feb. 14 on TexasSports.com
TEXAS POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
General statement: I felt like we showed tremendous mental toughness and competed the entire game tonight. We had a great outing by several of our hitters tonight and there approach was very consistent throughout the game. We accomplished our goal of getting Brittany Barnhill a lot of work and have her work through some things. She had a great outing and we wanted to get her some experience before we head into our next stretch of tournaments.
On Amy Hooks' home run: I thought Amy had just missed a few pitches earlier in the game. She had some great at bats tonight and I told her before her final at bat that she had just missed in her previous at bats. She got a great pitch and she had the presence of mind to go up there and make something happen in a key situation. You also have to credit Loryn Johnson and Tallie Thrasher for getting on base and setting the table for Amy.
SENIOR PITCHER Meagan Denny
On the team gaining momentum late in the game: I think the momentum changed for us after we got out of that rough inning when Texas State took the lead. Our hitters really came on for us in the seventh inning, staying focused and continuing to play hard when we were behind. Amy Hooks' homer was a huge momentum clincher for us as we headed back out in the seventh inning.
On coming on in relief: The whole time I was in the bullpen I was visualizing that I was actually in the game. When I did go in the game I felt like it was my first inning and I was very focused and ready to go.
FRESHMAN CATCHER Amy Hooks
On her mindset going into her final at bat: I just wanted to hit the ball, put it in play and maybe score some runs. I definitely was not thinking about hitting a home run. My main goal heading into that at bat was to move the runners and help my team.
On her adjustments in her final at bat: I was working really hard on getting my hands through and getting the barrel of the bat through the zone because she (Ragan Blake) was jamming us all night long.
On the excitement of hitting a home run to put Texas ahead: I was excited to hit a home run, but the team as a whole worked hard and we continued to play hard throughout the game. We did not back down after falling behind and we continued to play hard to the very end.
