The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Nebraska
Nebraska upends No. 20 Softball, 5-2
04.11.2009 | Softball
April 11, 2009
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The No. 20 Texas Softball team stranded nine base-runners, including three in the seventh as it dropped its second game of a two-game series with Nebraska, 5-2, Saturday afternoon. The loss moves the Longhorns to 31-14 on the year and 7-4 in Big 12 play, while the Cornhuskers fell to 28-11 and 5-5 in league action.
Sophomore starter Brittany Barnhill (19-9) suffered the loss for Texas after firing 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking four and striking out three. Junior righthander Erin Tresselt threw the final two-thirds of an inning, allowed one hit and struck out one. Nebraska starter Molly Hill (18-7) earned the victory for the Huskers after tossing a complete game, surrendering two runs on seven hits, walking five and striking out four.
The Cornhuskers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first, using two hits and two Texas errors to push two runs across. Centerfielder Meghan Mullin led off with a single and leftfielder Darcy Rutherford reached on an error before both runners came home on designated player Kelli Linke's two-run double.
Texas answered in the top of the second with two runs of its own, using a single by Barnhill and a double by freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor to jump-start its rally. Senior second baseman Kelly Melone's sacrifice fly to right field plated pinch runner Crystal Saenz and an RBI fielder's choice by senior first baseman Desiree Williams scored Taylor.
Nebraska reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of a bases loaded RBI walk by Linke to grab a 3-2 edge.
The Huskers added to their lead in the sixth, plating two runs on three hits to push the margin to 5-2. Nebraska led off the frame with back-to-back singles and loaded the bases with a walk before a two-run single by Linke scored both runners and stretched the NU lead to three.
Texas threatened in the seventh, loading the bases via three walks, but a line drive double play got Nebraska out of the inning and preserved the 5-2 victory.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 15 when it travels to Texas Tech. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
