The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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Texas Tech
Barnhill's two-hit gem leads Softball to 7-0 win over Texas Tech
03.27.2009 | Softball
March 26, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- Sophomore righthander Brittany Barnhill steadied the offense and the defense for Texas as the Longhorns downed Texas Tech, 7-0, Thursday night in UT's Big 12 home opener. The Horns' victory improved UT to 24-11 on the year and 2-1 in the conference, while the Red Raiders dropped to 10-27 and 0-5 in league play.
Barnhill (13-6) toed the rubber for the Longhorns, tossing a complete game two-hit shutout, fanning four and walking none. Barnhill threw 4.1 innings of perfect softball before surrendering her first hit and only allowed two balls to be hit out of the infield on the night. Texas Tech starter Ashley Jacobs (7-14) suffered the loss after throwing just 1.2 innings, surrendering six runs on three hits and walking six.
Texas jumped out to an early edge in the first, using two hits and three walks to take a 4-0 lead. Senior first baseman Desiree Williams led off the frame with a walk before advancing on a sacrifice. Junior designated player Loryn Johnson and freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor added a pair of two-out walks to load the bases for freshman rightfielder Courtney Craig who laced a two-run single down the left field line. Barnhill then brought Taylor and Craig home with a two-run double that pushed the UT lead to four.
In the second, Williams drew a one-out free pass and after a second batter was retired sophomore catcher Amy Hooks earned a walk. A two-run double off the top of the left field fence by Johnson plated both runners and moved the tally to 6-0.
The Longhorns tacked on another run in the fourth when freshman shortstop Lexy Bennett hammered her fourth home run of the season to push the Texas edge to seven.
Barnhill and Johnson headlined the Texas offense with two hits and two RBI apiece in the game, while Williams notched a pair of walks and scored two runs.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, March 28 when it kicks off a two-game series with Red River rival No. 6 Oklahoma. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
