The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
Softball opens conference play with 5-1 victory over Nebraska
03.21.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill and senior righthander Meagan Denny combined on a two-hitter and the Longhorns exploded for 10 hits in UT's 5-1 victory over Nebraska in its Big 12 Conference opener.
The Horns' win in the conference opener moved them to 15-11-2 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12, while the Huskers fell to 13-11 and 0-1 in league play. Texas freshman hurler Brittany Barnhill (3-5) earned the win after tossing 5.0 innings, allowing one run and fanning four batters. Longhorns' senior righthander Meagan Denny earned her Big 12-best third save of the season after throwing 2.0 scoreless and hitless innings. Nebraska starter Molly Hill (6-4) suffered the loss for the Cornhuskers, going 6.0 innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits and walking four.
The Longhorns jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage in the second, using an RB I single by junior third baseman Crystal Saenz to plate junior first baseman Desiree Williams who started the rally with a double. Nebraska responded in the top of the third, taking advantage of a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to plate a run and even the tally at one.
Texas blew the game open in its half of the third, registering four runs on six hits to push the score to 5-1. Sophomores Loryn Johnson and Tallie Thrasher led off the frame with back-to-back singles before they both came around to score on junior second baseman Kelly Melone's two-run double to left centerfield. An RBI single by Williams scored Melone and after stealing second, Williams came home on an RBI single by sophomore rightfielder Brittany Chalk.
Nebraska threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases, but Denny came on in relief of Barnhill to retire three straight hitters and preserve the UT edge.
Williams, Chalk and Saenz headlined the Longhorns on the night with two hits each, while Melone registered a team-best two RBI. Thrasher reached base in all four of her plate appearances, tallying a single and three walks.
Texas returns to action at noon on Saturday, March 22 when it hosts Nebraska in its Big 12 series finale.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the win: I liked our fire tonight, that's what we're looking for - to come out and be intense every game and every pitch. We had a lot of energy tonight. Our conference is strong, so we need to take care of getting the W's when we're at home. We put a lot of work this week into being consistent offensively, and I thought we did a great job tonight.
On the pitching change: Barnhill could have easily stayed in the game. That was not a pitching change, but a momentum change. We got a couple of ground balls from Barnhill, kicked the ball around just a little bit so we put Denny in to change things up, and try to slow their momentum down. We have talked about that it's important that we are a staff. Barnhill gets the win and Denny gets the save, and they need to be ready to come in for each other now that we're in conference.
On the offensive effort: Coach (Corrie) Hill has made a few physical adjustments overall, but she has also been in the ear of all of the individual hitters and working on their specific needs. The work really paid off for us tonight. We did make some strides on Wednesday, but we didn't get the outcome that we wanted then, however, we stayed consistent and got the outcome that we wanted tonight. It was very nice to have Kelly Melone back in the lineup tonight after missing a couple of games and I felt like she provided a nice spark for us."
FRESHMAN PITCHER Brittany Barnhill
On her first Big 12 win: It felt amazing. I feel like a big girl now, holding my ground in the Big 12. I couldn't have done it without Meagan though. She did a great job coming in for me and I wouldn't want anything else.
On the difference between playing a Big 12 game and the tournaments: It shouldn't be different but it is, because of the hype of the Big 12. We have one of the most incredible conferences out there. It made me step up my game a little bit. It was great having a full stadium with all the amazing supporters who know how big this is. I'm learning.
