The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Washington
Softball falls to No. 24 Washington, 2-1, in NCAA Houston Regional opener
05.16.2008 | Softball
HOUSTON -- The Texas Softball team fell to No. 24 Washington, 2-1, in the first round of the NCAA Houston Regional, Friday evening. The Longhorns will take on Delaware State at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 in an elimination game.
Texas' loss dropped the Horns to 28-22-2 on the year and 18-9 all-time in NCAA Regional play, while the Huskies improved to 29-23-1. UT senior right hander Meagan Denny (20-10) was saddled with the loss after scattering 10 hits over 6.0 innings, while walking four and striking out six. Huskies' reliever Aleah Macon (17-15) earned the victory, throwing 4.0 hitless innings, walking two and fanning three. Washington starter Caitlin Noble was lifted after tossing 3.0 innings and allowing one run on three hits.
Washington broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning, using three straight singles and a Texas wild pitch to claim a 2-1 victory. Alicia Blake led off the frame with a single through the middle and advanced to second on Jace Williams' infield single. Both runners moved into scoring position on a Denny wild pitch before a lightly hit single by first baseman Ashley Watson plated Blake to end the game.
The Huskies jumped out to a quick 1-0 edge in the first, taking advantage of a two-out walk by Blake and an RBI single by Watson to grab a one-run edge.
Texas answered in the top of the third, when sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson smashed her school record-tying 12th home run of the season. Johnson's homer tied her with junior first baseman Desiree Williams (12 HR, 2006) and sophomore Tallie Thrasher (12 HR, 2007 for most home runs in UT single-season history. The blast was also Texas' 47th round-tripper of the season, setting a new team single-season record.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Texas is making its ninth NCAA Regional appearance in its 12-year softball history.
- The Longhorns loss moves UT to 18-9 all-time in NCAA Regional play.
- Junior first baseman Desiree Williams' walk in the first inning was her 33rd of the year and moved her into a second place tie for most walks in a single-season at Texas. Williams equaled her own single-season walk total (33) from 2005.
- Sophomore shortstop Loryn Johnson's solo homer in the third was her 12th of the season, tying her with teammates Desiree Williams (12, 2006) and Tallie Thrasher (12, 2007) for most home runs in a single season at Texas.
- Johnson' blast was Texas' 47th homer of the year, setting a new UT single-season team record. The previous record was 46, set by the 2006 team.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
Opening statement: I think probably the difference in the game was that Washington took advantage of the opportunities when they had them. Unfortunately we didn't capitalize on the opportunities that we had. I know their three, four, and five hitters in the middle of the order had a pretty good day and kept battling very well. We had some early opportunities and I think that was the difference in the game and effected the outcome of the game.
SENIOR P Meagan Denny
On if she struggled in the circle today: I think in the first couple of innings when I had a few walks, I felt mentally I was staying pitch to pitch and going right back at them even after allowing a walk. I wouldn't say that I was struggling. I just think we had a little bit of bad luck with inconvenient walks and hits. All in all it was a good fought ball game and Washington just came out and did a good job.
On what kind of pitches was working for her today: Today I believe my strength pitches (rise, curve and screwball) were working for me. I think my screwball was a little high at times, but I believe I made adjustments, bringing it down in the last part of the game. I really didn't use too much of my curve ball today, but when I did use it I believe it was a pretty good asset. When I'm in a bind I always go back to my rise ball.
On the pressure of having to win four straight: We need a little bit of pressure to get the fire going underneath us. We are excited it just means more softball for us.
SOPHOMORE SS Loryn Johnson
On her home run: I was just trying to hit the ball hard. At the end of the first at-bat I was just trying to get inside the ball and hit a line drive somewhere and got lucky and it went out.
