The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
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Softball completes sweep of Kansas with 3-2 win
04.19.2009 | Softball
April 19, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 22 Texas Softball saw senior first baseman Desiree Williams break yet another UT career record as the Longhorns completed a two-game sweep of Kansas with a 3-2 win, Sunday afternoon. Williams' start against KU moved her into a tie in the UT record books for most career games played and most games started. The Horns' victory improved Texas to 34-14 on the year and 10-4 in Big 12 action, while Kansas dropped to 16-25 and 4-8 in league play.
Sophomore righthander Brittany Barnhill (22-9) picked up the win after firing her third complete game of the week, scattering two runs on five hits, while walking four and fanning five. Kansas starter Val George suffered the loss for the Jayhawks, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out four and walking three.
Texas put two runs on the board in the first, using a pair of free passes and a two-run double by junior designated player Loryn Johnson to put the Horns up 2-0.
The Longhorns added another run in the third when freshman rightfielder Courtney Craig reached on an error to start the rally and came around to score on Johnson's second RBI double of the game.
Kansas plated its first run in the fifth after shortstop Kolby Fesmire reached on an error, advanced on a fielder's choice and came around to score on designated player Elle Pottorf's RBI single. The Jayhawks narrowed the margin to 3-2 in the seventh when pinch hitter Liz Kocon drew a one-out walk and pinch runner Fesmire moved to third on a groundout and a wild pitch before scoring on an RBI single by third baseman Val Chapple.
Johnson headlined the UT offense on the day with two hits and three RBI, while Craig scored two runs and recorded one hit and a walk.
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 22 when it travels to Baylor for the second game of its season series with the Bears. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.
POSTGAME NOTES
- With her start against Kansas, senior first baseman Desiree Williams tied the UT career records for games played (235) and games started (231). Keely Franks previously held the games played record, while Franks shared the starts record with Jodi Reeves.
- Kansas' run in the fifth inning marked the first run that Brittany Barnhill had allowed in 18.2 innings of work.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On Brittany Barnhill's pitching performance this weekend: I thought she had a couple of good outings. We have a little bit of mechanical work to do, which we'll get back to on Tuesday. In regards to her working through that when she didn't have her best stuff today, I think that's the impressive part. I don't think she got consumed with what she didn't have, and she stayed focused with what she did have. I think she did a really nice job of that.
On Desiree Williams tying the record for career games started and played: She's been amazing for us. She has been a real cornerstone for our program. We give her a hard time, because it feels like she has been here forever with her redshirt year. She has grown and matured a lot. She is tremendous off the field, and obviously on the field, she provides everything for us. She runs well, can play multiple positions and she is a real leader. She has gotten much better at being patient and taking pitches at the plate.
SOPHOMORE C Amy Hooks
On coming home and getting two wins this weekend: It's huge for us to come home on our turf and grab these wins. I think late in the season, it comes down to who can keep finishing and keep winning, so these wins were big for us today.
On playing multiple close games and winning: Playing in close games are good for us. We're just going out there in the last inning wanting to get the last three outs. A win is a win, no matter how close the score is. We pulled it out today and the win is huge for us.
SOPHOMORE P Brittany Barnhill
On the closer game today: I think that we did really well with sticking with our game plan today. It's always a little harder on the second day when you come out against the same team and the same hitters. We had to tweak our game a little bit, but we got the outcome and the defense played great to back me up today.
On if the lack of run support affects her pitching game: You can't really let it affect you. I would say that it doesn't affect me, but sometimes it gets a little nerve racking when the game is close. You have to be better with your spots and hit the corners more than over the plate. Today, I had full confidence in our defense and they were playing great for me.
