The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma State
Softball powers pasts Oklahoma State, 9-2
04.06.2008 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas freshman righthander Brittany Barnhill tossed a complete game, allowing just two runs and junior catcher Kacie Gaskin recorded three hits and three runs scored as the Longhorns Softball team knocked off Oklahoma State, 9-2, Sunday afternoon at McCombs Field. The Longhorns improved to 19-14-2, 5-3 in the Big 12 with the victory, while Oklahoma State fell to 19-18, 3-3 in league play after splitting the two-game conference series with the Horns.
Barnhill (5-7) earned the victory and recorded her third complete game of her career, scattering seven hits over 7.0 innings, fanning five and walking one. Oklahoma State starter Amanda Crabtree (7-10) was saddled with the loss after lasting 3.2 innings, allowing five runs -- four earned -- on five hits, walking two and striking out three. Sarah Odom came on in relief of Crabtree and surrendered four runs on six hits in 2.1 innings of work.
The hot-hitting Longhorns out-hit the Cowgirls 11-to-7 and saw eight of their nine starters register at least one hit on the day, while sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson recorded two hits, a run and one RBI in the win to extend her team-best and season-high hitting streak to eight games. Sophomore designated player Tallie Thrasher and junior first baseman Desiree Williams paced the club with two RBI apiece.
The Longhorns leapt out to a 2-0 lead in the first, using a bunt single by Gaskin to start the rally. Gaskin stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before a walk and stolen base by Thrasher put two runners in scoring position. Williams plated Thrasher and Gaskin and gave the Horns a two-run edge with her RBI single to leftfield.
Gaskin started the UT third with a single to leftfield, stole second and moved to third on Johnson's fly-out. Thrasher followed with her second walk of the game and moved to second on her second stolen base of the day. Gaskin raced home when the Cowgirls' committed a throwing error on Thrasher's steal, and moved the Texas edge to 3-0.
Texas tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning, taking advantage of four two-out hits and one error to take a 6-0 lead. Freshman leftfielder Amy Hooks jumpstarted the rally with a single through the left side and came all the way home on junior third baseman Crystal Saenz' RBI double. Gaskin followed with a double of her own, scoring Saenz and pushing the lead to five. An RBI single by Johnson plated Gaskin and capped the UT fourth with Horns on top, 6-0.
The Longhorns added a single tally in the fifth, using a leadoff double by junior second baseman Kelly Melone and a sacrifice bunt by Williams to move Melone to third. Sophomore centerfielder Brittany Chalk's single through the middle scored Melone from third and pushed the UT advantage to 7-0.
The Cowgirls responded with two runs of their own in the sixth, pushing both runs across on first baseman Heather Kim's two-run single to centerfield.
Texas answered in the bottom of the sixth, registering two runs on Thrasher's seventh home run of the year, moving the UT lead to 9-2.
The Longhorns return to action at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 when it welcomes Texas A&M to McCombs Field for round one of the State Farm Lone Star Showdown.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the changes from yesterday: I think we had better intensity. Obviously [Brittany] Barnhill pitched much better today than our staff did yesterday. She threw pitch-to-pitch, trusted her stuff, and didn't try to over throw. She did a great job today. The team generated its own energy, and we didn't wait to get the other team to try to force our energy, we had it from pitch one and that is significant for us.
On Brittany Barnhill's performance: She had a great performance, I'm not concerned about the strikeouts, those are icing on the cake. When she is just focused on throwing pitch-to-pitch and we can play defense behind her, we're in good shape. I think we had that type of performance today.
On the difference between yesterday's and today's pitching: The pitching staff did not do a good job yesterday. They issued ten free passes on walks or hit-by-pitches. I brought the pitching staff in and we talked about some really specific things. They have to trust their stuff and pitch, not go out there and be a thrower -- they have to pitch and trust their pitches. When they do that they are good enough to make things happen and induce ground balls, pop-ups, or strikeouts. Barnhill did that today.
FRESHMAN PITCHER Brittany Barnhill
On her performance: I'm really working on my game mentally now. I feel physically I can do everything I need to do, but sometimes I beat myself up mentally when I'm out there. It's definitely a progression and I'm working on staying pitch-to-pitch and not getting ahead of myself.
On the defense today: The defense was amazing today. Amy Hooks' throw from left field to home was a shot, the runner never had a chance. The outfield played great, Kori [Cook] came up with some amazing catches, and the infield was solid as always. I think that was the problem with yesterday. We have to give our defense a chance to play, because as you saw today, they are great, and if the pitchers are giving free passes, then they don't have a chance.
JUNIOR CATCHER Kacie Gaskin
On the difference between today and yesterday: I think we just need to stay consistent and not let the highs get too high or the lows too low. I just didn't let yesterday's loss affect me too much. I came out early this morning and did some extra hitting and worked it out. You still have to believe in yourself and think you are a good player even if you have a bad day.
