The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Wisconsin
Pair of homers lifts No. 22 Softball past Wisconsin, 5-1
03.01.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 22 Texas Softball team used a pair of home runs by junior second baseman Kelly Melone and senior outfielder MicKayla Padilla to down Wisconsin, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at the Texas Classic.
The Longhorns' victory improved UT to 10-5-1 and 2-1 in tourney play, while Wisconsin fell to 6-11 and 0-3 in Texas Classic play.
Freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill (2-3) earned the victory for Texas, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and fanning four. Barnhill came on in relief of sophomore starter Erin Tresselt, who threw 3.0 innings, allowing two hits and one earned run. Badgers' starter Letty Olivarez (2-6) suffered the loss for UW, surrendering two runs on five hits.
After allowing a Wisconsin run in the second, Texas rallied to even the tally in the fifth on Melone's leadoff solo blast to leftfield. The Horns forged ahead in the fifth, taking advantage of a Badgers' error and a walk by sophomore second baseman Loryn Johnson to set the table for pinch hitter Brittany Reliford. She laid down a perfectly placed squeeze bunt to score junior shortstop Desiree Williams from third base and give UT a 2-1 edge.
Texas tacked on three more runs in the sixth, using a double by junior third baseman Crystal Saenz to start the frame. Saenz advanced to third on a throwing error on the play and raced home on an RBI single by freshman leftfielder Shelby Savony. Padilla followed Savony's single with a two-run home run to straightaway centerfield - the first of her career -- putting Texas ahead, 5-1.
Johnson and Melone headlined the Texas offense on the day, registering two hits apiece, while Padilla led UT with a pair of RBI.
The Longhorns return to action at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 when they take on Wichita State in the semifinals of the Texas Classic.
