The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Stanford
No. 25 Softball upends previously unbeaten No. 12 Stanford, 3-1
02.24.2008 | Softball
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- Texas junior first baseman Desiree Williams' two-run home run in the fifth inning lifted the 25th-ranked Longhorns past previously unbeaten and 12th-ranked Stanford, 3-1 Sunday afternoon at the Palm Springs Classic.
Texas (8-4-1) concluded the five-game tournament with a 3-2 record, while Stanford (15-1) posted a 5-1 mark.
Senior righthander Meagan Denny (7-1) earned the victory for the Horns, tossing 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and fanning six batters. Denny came on in relief of freshman starter Brittany Barnhill who pitched 4.1 innings of no-hit softball before allowing a hit in the fifth. Stanford starter Missy Penna (11-1) suffered her first loss of the season, throwing a complete game, surrendering three runs on four hits and striking out four Longhorns.
After allowing a run in the fifth, Texas reclaimed the edge in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of back-to-back two-out hits that moved the Horns' lead to 3-1. Barnhill started the rally with a single up the middle and junior first baseman Desiree Williams brought Barnhill home when she blasted her second longball of the tourney over the right centerfield wall to put UT back in front.
Texas broke a scoreless tie in the third inning on Barnhill's first collegiate home run that cleared the leftfield wall and put UT ahead, 1-0. The Cardinal rallied for a run of its own in the fifth, breaking up Barnhill's no-hit bid and evening tally at one. Stanford started the frame with a leadoff walk to Alissa Haber and a single by shortstop Maddy Coon advanced Haber to third. Following the Haber single, Barnhill was lifted in favor of Denny, but a wild pitch allowed Haber to score from third. Denny worked out of a bases loaded jam to conclude the inning and limit the Cardinal to one run.
Freshman designated player Tallie Thrasher extended her season-high hitting streak to five games with her single in the first inning, while Barnhill paced the Texas offense on the day with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
Texas returns to action at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 29 when it takes on Wichita State at the Texas Classic at McCombs Field.
POSTGAME QUOTESTEXAS HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the victory: I thought today's win was a good effort. It was Brittany Barnhill's best outing of the year and it was nice to be able to come in with Meagan Denny later in the game to shut the door. Barnhill had a nice game in the circle and at the plate. She has made some adjustments to get better every outing and that is all that we are looking for from her. Our offense is continuing to improve, as we had some great at-bats and tremendous focus all weekend. I thought we competed exceptionally well in this game and all weekend. I am really proud of the way that we are competing.
On the outstanding offensive effort this weekend: I think having a three-day practice week in between tournaments was very beneficial. We will not have a mid-week game again this week and it will be good to have another three-day practice week. Having that time to get back and work on some little things is important. I have some adjustments that I want to work on with our pitchers. This weekend they made some physical and mental adjustments to get into a routine and I thought their presence and competitive desire were tremendous this weekend. The way the offense played alleviates a lot of pressure on our staff when they put up the kind of numbers that they did this weekend.
