The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Baylor edges No. 23 Softball, 3-2
04.22.2009 | Softball
April 22, 2009
WACO, Texas -- The No. 23 Texas Softball team dropped its second decision of the year to Baylor, Wednesday, falling 3-2 for the second time in as many chances. The loss dropped the Horns to 35-17 on the year and 10-5 in Big 12 play, while the Bears fell to 34-15 and 10-5 in league action.
Sophomore starter Brittany Barnhill (22-10) tossed a complete game for the Horns in the loss, scattering three runs on 10 hits, walking four and striking out three in 6.2 innings of work. Baylor southpaw Whitney Canion (22-13) picked up the victory for the Bears, surrendering two runs on six hits, while walking four and fanning 11.
The Bears pushed the game-winning tally across in the seventh, taking advantage of a one-out double by shortstop Bree Hanafin to start the inning. Hanafin advanced to third on a fielder's choice and came home on an RBI double down the left field line by designated player Megan Turk.
Baylor grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of back-to-back singles by leftfielder Tiffany Wesley and rightfielder Kayce Walker. A walk loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly by Hanafin plated Wesley to give the Bears the early edge.
The Longhorns answered in the top of the second when sophomore catcher Amy Hooks launched a one-out solo homer to left centerfield to tie the game at one.
The Bears rallied to knot the game in the third, using a leadoff double by catcher Courtney Oberg to start the inning and an RBI fielder's choice by rightfielder Sophia Lujan to even the game at 2-2.
Craig headlined the Horns' offense on the night with a 3-for-3 effort, including a double and an intentional walk.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, April 25 when it travels to Oklahoma State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
- With her start against Baylor, senior first baseman Desiree Williams set the UT career records for games played (236) and games started (232). Keely Franks previously held the games played record, while Franks shared the starts record with Jodi Reeves.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On if timing played a role in the game: I don't know if timing played a role like it did last time. It was a good ballgame as far as being back-and-forth, but it wasn't necessarily timing. I don't think we transitioned as well as we needed to. We had some tough strikeouts and Canion is a great pitcher. I don't think we transitioned well on defense, we gave up too many infield hits. At times we were good pitch-to-pitch, but at other times we weren't as good as we normally are.
On Courtney Craig's performance: She is very consistent and she makes great adjustments in the middle of her at-bats. For a freshman to be doing that at this stage is pretty impressive. We just saw another good outing from her and that is why they chose to walk her in the sixth. They walked her to pitch to another very good hitter in Lexy Bennett. It didn't bother me to see Lexy come up after her in that situation.
On the team's mood after the game: Well they don't like to get beat by the same team twice. I think we feel like that we are better than we showed. We talked about adjustments we were going to make coming into tonight and we knew we were going to see Canion and I don't think we made as good of adjustments as we should have. I think it stings a little bit harder when you look back and think that we worked on adjustments and we didn't execute when we should have.
FRESHMAN RF Courtney Craig
On making adjustments since facing Canion earlier this season: I knew she had a really tight-spin rise ball from the last time we played. I realized last game that when I got in the box that I could take that spin away from her. I took that same approach this game and I took away the spin.
On her intentional walk in the sixth: I respect that they respect me. You may not like getting walked in that situation, but anyone respects it.
On the Texas fans that traveled to Waco: With so many people on our team being from Texas, I kind of expected a group, but not as many as there were. We love having that support behind us, especially when we are on the road.
On the team's somber mood after the game: After the last game we really wanted to come in and take it to them, so we could make up for the first game. That game was kind of like the end result of this game with a late-inning rally. We had the motivation and the right mentality, but we just didn't score when we had opportunities.
