The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
North Carolina
Softball ties North Carolina, clinches share of championship at Spring Fling Tournament
03.16.2008 | Softball
HONOLULU -- Texas freshman pitcher Brittany Barnhill tossed five innings, surrendering just one run on four hits, as the Longhorns tied North Carolina, 1-1, Saturday night in the championship game of the Spring Fling Tournament. The tie netted Texas a share of the tournament championship.
The Longhorns' tied moved UT to 14-10-2 on the year and 3-2-1 at the tourney, while the Tar Heels moved to 24-6-1 and 5-0-1 for the week. Barnhill (2-5) went 5.0 innings, fanning six and walking two. North Carolina starter Lisa Norris (8-3) threw a complete game, giving up one run, one hit and striking out 10.
After trailing since the fourth, the Longhorns rallied for two hits, including an RBI single by Barnhill in the seventh. Junior catcher Kacie Gaskin started the inning with a leadoff single and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson. Following the second out of the frame, Barnhill stepped to the plate and laced a single to right centerfield, scoring Gaskin and knotting the game at one.
The Tar Heels got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, using a pair of singles and a hit-by-pitch to claim a 1-0 edge. First baseman Danielle Spaulding started the rally with a one-out single and pinch runner Dani Manko stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Norris reached when she was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base for Whitney Allen who lined a single through the middle, plating Manko and giving UNC the game's first lead.
Sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher earned tournament most valuable player honors after hitting .462 with six hits, three runs scored and four RBI in six games.
Texas returns to action Wednesday, March 19 when it plays host to Texas State at 6:30 p.m.
