The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Missouri
Softball cruises past Missouri, 6-1
04.19.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas senior hurler Meagan Denny tossed a complete game two-hitter and the Longhorns exploded for six runs on nine hits to knock off Missouri, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at McCombs Field. The victory extended Texas' season-best winning streak to five games and improved the Horns to 24-16-2 on the year and 8-5 in Big 12 play. Missouri's loss dropped the Tigers to 39-13 and 6-5 in league games.
Denny (17-5) earned the victory after throwing 6.0 innings of perfect softball before allowing a baserunner. The righthander allowed one run on two hits and fanned nine in the victory, while Missouri starter Jen Bruck (14-7) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs on nine hits in 6.0 innings of work.
The Longhorns broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, using two hits and a hit-by-pitch to take a 2-0 lead. Sophomore leftfielder Kori Cook was hit by a pitch to start the inning, advanced to second on a groundout and moved to third on junior first baseman Desiree Williams' bunt single. Williams promptly stole second, allowing Cook to swipe home as part of a double steal. A fielder's choice RBI by sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher plated Williams to give UT a two-run edge.
In the fifth, Texas added a single tally on a leadoff single by Cook and an RBI single by sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson that allowed Cook to score from third. The Horns tacked on three more runs in the sixth, plating their first run on sophomore centerfielder Brittany Chalk's RBI double to centerfield that scored junior catcher Kacie Gaskin who singled to start the frame.
Later in the sixth, junior third baseman Crystal Saenz brought Chalk home when she slammed her third home run of the season down the leftfield line to push UT's lead to 6-0.
The Tigers broke up Denny's perfect game bid in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of a leadoff bunt single by Rhea Taylor, a UT error and a single by pitcher Jen Bruck to load the bases. Denny induced a groundball double play to register two outs, but Taylor raced home to notch Mizzou's lone run of the game.
Williams and Johnson headlined the Texas offense on the afternoon, registering two hits each, while Cook posted a team-best two runs scored and Saenz notched a pair of RBI.
The Longhorns conclude their two-game series with the Tigers at noon on Sunday, April 20 at McCombs Field. Prior to Sunday's game the Longhorns' will recognize Denny and senior outfielder MicKayla Padilla in a special senior ceremony.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the importance of getting a win: It's big for us. We knew coming into this weekend that we were neck-and-neck with Missouri in the conference race. They are a quality club and they hit the ball exceptionally well. They have a very good pitching staff and it was a very good, balanced win for us. I thought we were good in every category today.
On Meagan Denny's performance: I think that she has just been a great pitcher recently. She hasn't tried to do too much, and she hasn't tried to be a thrower in specific situations, especially when she faced their three-four and five batters. We did talk today about the importance of keeping both lefties off base if we could, because they run so well and have tremendous numbers on stolen bases. Even when you have to face the three-four and five hitters, we wanted to face them with nobody on base. I thought we took care of that, and Denny and Kacie did a great job, as well as the defense with keeping those two lefties off base.
On the offensive surge the past couple of games: I know that Coach (Corrie) Hill has been applying constant adjustments during practice. I think we have to credit the team as well. They are doing a good job of taking extra swings on their own outside of practice, and they are just getting back to hard work. It's fantastic to see that paying off for some of the athletes that put in the time. What I like the most about today was that it felt like every time we had a runner in scoring position, we cashed in. We've had opportunities in a lot of our close ballgames to push a different outcome, but this week, and obviously today, we have been able to capitalize when we've had runners in scoring position. It was a good performance all the way around.
SENIOR PITCHER Meagan Denny
On her performance today: I was hitting my spots, Kacie [Gaskin] was calling a great mix of pitches and that was working for us today. I had pretty good command of my curve and rise ball today, my bread-and-butter pitches, and I still did pretty good with my change-ups. Kacie called them at great times and I made them as more of my setup pitches to setup my other pitches. It worked out well for us today. The defense was playing wonderfully behind me and the whole team was having fun.
On the many foul-outs today: I was mainly jamming them. I was throwing my screwball and rise ball in pretty tight, and I was getting the ball right in there by their hands where they couldn't do much with it. When I do that, it makes the ball go foul.
On getting to the seventh inning with no hits for the second straight game: It's cool to throw a two-hitter when you get the two hits within the first few innings, but when they are in the last inning, and you've thrown a perfect game the entire game, it's frustrating and disappointing. Whatever happens, you have to take a deep breath, get right back on the horse and get right back to the next hitter. Even if I pitched a no-hitter, I would totally credit my team today. They took complete control of the game and took momentum. Their energy was up, the defense was awesome and our offense was tremendous. We were all right there together.
