The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Penn State
Softball outlasts Penn State in 10 innings, 1-0
07.23.2008 | Softball
July 15, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 22 Texas Softball team used a 16 strikeout, complete game outing by senior righthander Meagan Denny to knock off Penn State, 1-0 in 10 innings, Friday afternoon at the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational. The victory improved the Longhorns to 4-1 on the year, while Penn State dropped its season opener.
After nine innings of scoreless play, the Longhorns plated the game's lone run in the top of the seventh frame. Junior second baseman Kelly Melone started the inning on second base due to international tie-break rules. Melone advanced to third on a bunt single by sophomore centerfielder Kori Cook and came home when the pitcher fielded the ball and misfired to first base. The tally proved to be all the offense Texas needed as Denny and the Horns avoided a bases loaded threat in the bottom of the inning to clinch the win.
Denny (3-0) earned the win, making her longest appearance of the year, scattering five hits in her first shutout of the year. Penn State's Ashley Esparza (0-1) suffered the loss after throwing a complete game, allowing just five hits, striking out 12 and surrendering zero earned runs.
Cook paced the Horns' offense on the afternoon with two hits, while freshman catcher Amy Hooks, junior rightfielder Kacie Gaskin and sophomore leftfielder Brittany Chalk each collected a hit.
Texas returns to action Friday night against Michigan. The game will begin 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Penn State/Cal State Fullerton game.
