The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Softball falls to Baylor, 5-4
04.02.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas Softball team rallied to claim a 4-3 edge in the bottom of the sixth inning, but two runs in the Baylor seventh pushed the Bears past the Longhorns, 5-4, Wednesday night at McCombs Field. The loss dropped the Horns to 18-13-2 on the year and 4-2 in Big 12 Conference play, while Baylor improved to 19-12 and 2-5 in the league.
Longhorns' freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill (4-7) was saddled with the loss after throwing 1.2 innings of relief and allowing two runs on three hits. Barnhill came on in relief of senior starter Meagan Denny, who tossed 5.1 innings, scattering three runs and three hits, while striking out three. Bears' reliever Shaina Brock (2-2) claimed the victory for BU, going just 0.2 innings and allowing one run and one hit. Brock came on in relief for starter Kirsten Shortridge who re-entered the game to earn her first save of the season.
The Bears rallied back from a 4-3 deficit in the top of the seventh, putting together a two-run rally to grab a 5-4 edge. Centerfielder Nicole Wesley reached on a fielder's choice, and third baseman Brette Reagan drew a one-out walk to put two runners on base in the Baylor seventh. The Longhorns retired the next batter, but a double by Courtney Oberg plated both runners and netted the Bears two runs and a one run lead.
Texas notched the game's first run in the third, taking advantage of a leadoff double by junior third baseman Crystal Saenz and a run-scoring single by sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson to claim a 1-0 edge.
Baylor recorded its first hit in the top of the fifth and claimed the lead in the sixth when it sent seven batters to the plate and tallied three runs. The Bears used a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly in three consecutive at-bats to plate three runners and put BU ahead, 3-1.
The Horns answered immediately, plating three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, using a leadoff single by sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher to start the rally. Junior second baseman Kelly Melone followed with a walk and both runners advanced on junior first baseman Desiree Williams' sacrifice bunt. Thrasher came home on Barnhill's RBI single, but Melone was erased trying to score on a wild pitch.
Sophomore centerfielder Brittany Chalk drew a two-out walk to put two runners on before a Baylor wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Freshman leftfielder Amy Hooks stepped to the plate with Barnhill and Chalk on base, and laced a two-run double down the rightfield line to put UT back in front, 4-3.
Thrasher and Barnhill headlined the Texas offense on the night with two hits each, while Barnhill registered one run scored and an RBI. Hooks posted a team-best two RBI in the loss, while Johnson's RBI single in the third extended her season-high hitting streak to seven games.
The Longhorns return to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 when it kicks off a two-game conference series with Oklahoma State at McCombs Field.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On what she told the team after a tough loss: You tell them that it was a heck of a battle and it is tough to come out on the losing end of that. I think we did a lot of tremendous things tonight and both teams kept answering back. It was a great game of softball. Unfortunately, we did not get the outcome. But, I thought that we batted well and we put some things in motion that we have been working on.
On what the team has been working on: We've been working on their approach and keeping consistent energy and intensity. We were tremendous from the first pitch to the last pitch tonight. We talked about starting strong, maintaining and finishing, and we did that tonight. We just have to keep battling.
On Baylor scoring in the seventh: [Brittany] Barnhill had a 1-2 count and she was right where she wanted to be. If that pitch was a foot further outside, it might have been strike three and we would have been celebrating in the locker room. Barnhill, being a freshman, knows when the count gets to that point, she has to spread the ball out on the plate a bit. The loss certainly did not come down to any one thing.
On the pitching change: The game is about momentum and they were coming through their lineup where they have seen our pitcher several times. Barnhill mixes speeds a little more effectively and we thought that was something that could keep them a little bit off balance. She also plays great defense.
FRESHMAN LEFTFIELDER Amy Hooks
On her at bat in the sixth: We got a couple of girls on base and I was just in my routine. I took a deep breath and just thought about putting the ball in play. I've been hitting the ball, but not getting base hits, so I was just thinking about putting the ball in play and making them work. It was a full count and you just can't press. You just have to step out, take a deep breath and I got the result I wanted tonight. It felt good.
On batting in pressure situations: You just have to take every at bat like a new at-bat. You just have to go up there, take a deep breath and not think about past at-bats. If you press too hard, then you are not going to get the result you want.
FRESHMAN PITCHER/RIGHTFIELDER Brittany Barnhill
On the seventh inning: We decided to pitch outside and we got what we wanted on the first two pitches, but that last one got away from me. I know she is a good hitter and I've played with her before and by no means were we going to sneak anything by her. I should have just moved it out a little bit more and I think we would have got it.
On dealing with high pressure situations: I was thinking that I just need to stay focused and keep everything in perspective. Yes, it was a high pressure situation, but you can't think of anything like that because it makes it worse. You just have to come in and play your game and just try to have fun.
On her big hit tonight: Coach (Corrie) Hill and I have been working on picking spots to hit. Usually I get tense with runners on, so we've been working on helping me stay focused. I know the situation and I just had to get after it and do the best I could.
