The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas State
Texas State upends Softball, 3-1
03.19.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas Softball team loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning, but failed to push any runs across as it fell to Texas State, 3-1, Wednesday night at McCombs Field.
Texas' loss dropped the Horns to 14-11-2 on the year as it prepares for Big 12 play against Nebraska on Friday, while the Bobcats improved to 18-10 on the season. Longhorns' senior hurler Meagan Denny (11-4) tossed a complete game in the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits and fanning nine. Texas State starter Ragan Blake (8-7) earned the win for the Bobcats, tossing 7.0 innings, giving up one run, walking six and striking out five.
The Longhorns grabbed an early 1-0 edge in the first, taking advantage of a leadoff walk by junior first baseman Desiree Williams and a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Kacie Gaskin. Sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson followed with an RBI single to right centerfield that scored Williams and put the Longhorns in front.
Texas State rallied in the fifth to notch a pair of runs on two hits and a walk. Catcher Ashton Peters led off the frame with a walk and pinch runner Allyce Rother advanced to second on rightfielder Taylor Hall's infield single. Denny retired the next batter, but a two-out, RBI triple to the right centerfield gap by second baseman Ryan Kos plated two runs and put the Bobcats ahead, 2-1.
The Bobcats tacked on a third tally in the seventh, as Hall reached on a fielder's choice, advanced on a groundout and came home on an RBI single by Kos.
Texas threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Gaskin registered a one-out double and Johnson and sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher followed with back-to-back walks. The Longhorns stranded all three runners in the final frame and stranded 11 runners on the night.
Thrasher led UT's offense on the night with two hits and a pair of walks, while Johnson recorded Texas' lone RBI.
Texas returns to action at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March, 21 when it kicks off Big 12 Conference play against Nebraska at McCombs Field.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
General comment: Unfortunately it came down to the fact that Texas State took advantage of their opportunities and we did not. We had runners in scoring position, we've just got to figure out how to push those runs across. Texas State didn't have that many opportunities, but when they got them they took advantage of it. I think you have to credit them for doing that tonight.
On making adjustments for the wind: The wind died down before the game so the only thing that we worked on was with the outfielders. On fly balls we just told them to stay with the ball. You can't give up on a fly ball too soon because it may start with a specific position and end up at another one so that's really all we do in relation to the wind.
On the offense tonight: I think they were looking for the inside pitch and although we got them they just missed or they didn't get through or they popped up. It just comes down to execution when we get opportunities. We haven't done that of late and as we head into conference that will be significant.
On any changes the team will make for conference: The only thing that changes is that we will have a lot more information on the teams we will be seeing. When we talk tomorrow we will be talking very specifically about that team because we only see one opponent on Friday and Saturday and we will work more specifically on what we are going to see out of that team. We go to a lot of tournaments where we are going to see five or six opponents and you can't prepare like that. We get really focused when it comes to conference. We take a good look at their pitchers and talk about how we are going to face their hitters, so we just have a lot more information to put into play.
