The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
BYU
Softball edges BYU, 5-4, in extra innings
02.20.2009 | Softball
Feb. 20, 2009
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- The Texas Softball team used a pair of fielder's choices to manufacture a run in the ninth inning to down BYU, 5-4, on Friday afternoon at the Cathedral City Classic. Texas' international tie-break victory improved the Horns to 7-3 on the year, while the Cougars fell to 6-8.
The Longhorns started the ninth with junior pitcher Brittany Barnhill on second base before advancing junior centerfielder Kacie Gaskin advanced her to third with a groundout. Senior first baseman Desiree Williams followed and reached on a fielder's choice of her own that plated Barnhill to give UT a 5-4 edge.
Barnhill (4-1) earned the victory for UT after tossing 3.2 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief. Junior starter Erin Tresselt threw the first five frames for Texas, scattering eight hits and surrendering three runs. BYU starter Paige Affleck (3-4) was saddled with the loss in her 9.0-inning effort in which she scattered seven hits and surrendered five runs (four earned).
After falling behind 4-2 in the sixth, the Horns rallied for two runs to even the game at four in the top of the seventh. Junior outfielder Brittany Chalk led off the frame with a walk and came home on junior pinch hitter Shelby Savony's two-run home run.
Texas started the scoring in the top of the second, using a leadoff single by sophomore catcher Amy Hooks to start the rally. The Horns failed to advance Hooks on a sacrifice attempt, but sophomore designated player Brittany Barnhill's homer to right centerfield scored Hooks and gave UT an early 2-0 edge.
The Cougars answered in the fifth, loading the bases with three straight singles to start the inning. Texas retired the next batter, but a deep sacrifice fly by Jessica Purcell plated two runs to knot the game at two.
BYU tacked on two more runs in the sixth, sending eight batters to the plate and recording four hits. Leftfielder Caschjen Davis led off the frame with single a through the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice before coming home on a two-run home run by Stephanie Hopkins.
Texas returns to action at 5 p.m. Central on Friday, Feb. 20 when it takes on Oregon at the Cathedral City Classic.
