The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas Tech
Softball falls to Texas Tech, 5-4
03.27.2008 | Softball
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The University of Texas Softball team out-hit Texas Tech seven-to-five and rallied for one run on two hits in the seventh, but it was not enough as the Longhorns lost to the Red Raiders, 5-4, Thursday night at Rocky Johnson Field.
Texas loss dropped the Horns to 16-12-2 on the year and 2-1 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech improved to 9-25 and 1-2 in league play. Longhorns' freshman starter Brittany Barnhill (3-6) suffered the loss for UT, tossing 3.0 innings, allowing four unearned runs on three hits and striking out two. Senior righthander Meagan Denny came on in relief in the fourth, surrendering one run on two hits in three innings of work. Tech starter Ashly Jacobs (3-8) earned the win after throwing 5.0 innings and giving up two runs on four hits.
The Longhorns leapt out to a quick 2-0 advantage in the top of the first, using a leadoff walk by junior catcher Kacie Gaskin and a two-run home run to straightaway centerfield by sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson to grab an early edge.
Texas Tech responded in the third, tallying three runs on one hit and a Longhorns' error. The Red Raiders' second baseman Megan Shupp reached on a two-out error to jumpstart the rally and a walk by Jennifer Corkin put two runners on for rightfielder Montana Patin. She launched a three-run homer to centerfield, clearing the bases and pushing Tech ahead, 3-2.
The Red Raiders tacked on another run in the third, using a leadoff single by Shupp, a UT error and a Tech walk to load the bases. A wild pitch by Barnhill allowed Shupp to score from third base and pushed the Tech edge to 4-2.
Junior second baseman Kelly Melone narrowed the margin in the top of the sixth inning when she hammered her fourth home run of the season to straightaway centerfield, closing the Tech lead to 4-3.
Texas Tech added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when centerfielder Whitney Riley reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a walk by Leah Legler. Leftfielder Devin Zaragoza followed with a single to centerfield, scoring Riley and pushing the Red Raiders' lead to 5-3.
Texas bounced back in the seventh, using a one-out pinch-hit single by freshman Shelby Savony to start the rally. After a Gaskin groundout, Johnson doubled to right centerfield, scoring pinch runner Crystal Saenz and closing the margin to 5-4.
Johnson headlined the Texas offense on the night, recording two hits, three RBI and one run scored.
The Longhorns return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 when they travel to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State in game one of a two-game Big 12 series.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the game: Tonight was a tough loss. Our pitching staff and our defense gave them (Texas Tech) about 10 extra opportunities. The box score only shows two errors, but there were several other situations where we did not make very good decisions. The four walks, hit-by-pitch and wild pitch that scored a run really were the difference. Overall we did not take care of the ball on defense.
On the upcoming Iowa State series: We need to focus on the positive from tonight, which was the offense. We were tremendous at the plate, we had great at-bats and we hit the ball hard right at people the entire game. At Iowa State, we need our offense to continue to have a great weekend because they (ISU) are sound defensively and they have a good pitching staff. (Brittany) Barnhill and (Meagan) Denny have really been making some good strides as of late, but unfortunately tonight they issued some free passes and that has not been the direction that they have been moving. We need to reset on our goals of not issuing free passes and taking care of the ball defensively. As a team, it is time for us to get on a roll, instead of taking one step forward and another step back.
