The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Utah
No. 22 Softball falls to Utah, 5-4, at Texas Classic
03.01.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas junior second baseman Kelly Melone went 2-for-3 with three RBI, but it was not enough as the 22nd-ranked Texas Softball team fell to Utah, 5-4, Friday night at the Texas Classic.
The Longhorns' loss dropped Texas to 9-5-1 on the year and 1-1 in tourney play, while Utah improved to 9-3 and 2-0 at the Texas Classic.
Freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill (1-3) was saddled with the loss for the Horns after surrendering five runs - one earned - on eight hits in 5.1 innings of work. Barnhill fanned nine and walked three before giving way to sophomore reliever Erin Tresselt, who tossed the final 1.2 innings.
Melone, freshman outfielder Shelby Savony and junior infielder Desiree Williams highlighted the Texas offense with two hits each in the loss.
The Utes broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth, using a leadoff single by Sharee Fonoti to start the rally. Leftfielder Kristie Keller followed with a one-out single to left centerfield and Fonoti raced home on a UT error. Utes' centerfielder Diana Phillips then reached on a RBI fielder's choice that plated Keller and gave Utah a 5-3 edge.
After surrendering three runs on two hits and two errors in the second inning, the Longhorns rallied for three runs of their own in the third. Junior second baseman Kelly Melone followed sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher's RBI groundout with a two-run double to right centerfield that evened the tally at 3-3.
Texas rallied in the seventh for one run, taking advantage of a leadoff walk by Melone and a one-out single by junior third baseman Crystal Saenz. Savony followed with a single through the middle, allowing Saenz and Melone to move into scoring position. Melone plated the Horns' lone run of the frame on a wild pitch by Smuda, but the Utes avoided the threat and closed out the game, leading 5-4.
The Longhorns return to action at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 when they take on Wisconsin at the Texas Classic.
