The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Arizona
No. 12 Arizona edges Softball, 6-5
03.13.2009 | Softball
March 13, 2009
FULLERTON, Calif. -- Texas' three-run seventh inning rally proved to be too little, too late as it narrowly fell to No. 12 Arizona, 6-5, Friday morning at the Judi Garman Classic. The loss dropped the Horns to 19-8 on the year and 2-2 at the tourney, while the Wildcats improved to 24-5.
Texas sophomore starter Brittany Barnhill (9-4) was saddled with the loss for the Horns after throwing 5.0 innings and allowing six runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking eight. Arizona starter Sarah Akamine (12-3) earned the victory after throwing 4.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Jennifer Martinez came on in relief of Akamine in the fifth and picked up the save despite allowing three runs.
The Horns trailed 6-2 entering the final frame, but put together a three-run, two-out rally, but fell one run short in the end. Senior centerfielder Kacie Gaskin started the rally with a two-out single and senior first baseman Desiree Williams followed with a walk. Freshman shortstop Lexy Bennett's two-run double to right center, scored Gaskin and Williams and closed the margin to 6-4. Sophomore catcher Amy Hooks added a bloop RBI single to rightfield that scored Bennett, but the run proved to be UT's final tally.
Texas got on the board in the first, using two hits and an Arizona error. Bennett reached on an error with one out to start the rally and Hooks followed with a single before both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor's RBI single scored Bennett and put UT ahead, 1-0.
The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the first, plating three runs, starting with a leadoff home run by Brittany Lastrapes. Arizona drew two straight walks after the homer and following a hit-by-pitch, Lini Koria drew a bases-loaded RBI walk. An RBI fielder's choice by Laine Roth pushed a third run across and gave Arizona a 3-1 edge.
Arizona tacked on another run in the third when an RBI double by Victoria Kemp scored Koria who had reached on a walk, making the score 4-1.
The Longhorns narrowed the tally to 4-2 in the third when Williams led off the frame with a double to centerfield and came home on junior designated player Loryn Johnson's RBI single through the middle.
The Wildcats added two insurance runs in the sixth, using a pair of walks to start the frame and a two-run double by Sam Bannister to moved the tally to 6-2.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, March 14 when it takes on Pacific at the Judi Garman Classic. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Central.
