The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Johnson shines as No. 20 Softball falls to Baylor, 3-2
04.08.2009 | Softball
April 8, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas junior designated player Loryn Johnson registered two doubles and a homer as the 20th-ranked Longhorns fell to Baylor, 3-2, Wednesday night. The Longhorns loss dropped UT to 31-12 on the year and 7-2 in Big 12 play, while the Bears improved to 30-15 and 6-3 in league action.
Sophomore starter Brittany Barnhill (19-7) was saddled with the loss after firing a complete game, scattering five hits, walking none and allowing just three runs. Baylor southpaw Whitney Canion (17-12) picked up the win for the Bears after tossing a complete game, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking five and striking out eight.
Texas took an early 1-0 lead in the second, using a leadoff double by junior designated player Loryn Johnson to set the table. Johnson advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score on freshman rightfielder Courtney Craig's RBI single to left field.
Baylor evened the game at one in the top of the third, manufacturing a run with two hits and a sacrifice. Third baseman Megan Turk led off the frame with a single and advanced on a sacrifice before coming home on leftfielder Tiffany Wesley's RBI double.
The Bears forged ahead in the sixth with a one-out single by designated player Brette Reagan and a two-run homer by catcher Courtney Oberg that moved the tally to 3-2.
Texas battled back in the bottom of the sixth, closing the margin to 3-2 when Johnson led off the frame with a home run to left field. The Longhorns threatened again in the bottom of the seventh using three straight two-out walks, including an intentional walk of Johnson to load the bases. However, the Horns stranded all three runners when freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor popped out to end the UT rally.
Barnhill helped her own cause in the game with two hits, while Johnson added two runs scored to her 3-for-3 effort.
Texas returns to action on Friday, April 10 when it travels to Nebraska for a two-game series with the Cornhuskers. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. Central.
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
On the pitchers' duel: I thought Barnhill did a great job tonight. The game came down to the fact that Baylor had a runner on when the home run came and we didn't have a runner on when our home run came. Brette Reagan had not seen a change-up and she saw one with the count full and squeaked it through to set the table. Oberg had struggled with the change-up and when we tested her late in the count she got a hold of a change-up and it just kept going. They earned those runs and you have to tip your cap to them. Overall, I thought our team competed exceptionally well.
On Loryn Johnson's performance: She was amazing. When they walked her to load the bases and put the tying run at third base in the seventh, that shows you how much respect they have for her abilities. She had such a great night and she has been tremendous for us all season.
JUNIOR 2B Loryn Johnson
On being walked by Baylor in the seventh inning: If they're going to walk me and put the tying run on third, I will take that every time. Nadia (Taylor) has been getting the job done all year and we have a lot of confidence in her. Nadia went up there and gave it a great at-bat but sometimes things don't go your way.
On Canion's pitching: She's done a great job this year, especially being as young as she is. I think I was seeing the ball really well tonight. She had a lot of strikeouts, but I just tried to attack the pitch early.
On if playing Baylor tonight will help them in two weeks: Yeah, they're riding Whitney (Canion) and now we have seen her once. I think it was huge for us to play them and not play them again for two weeks. We can really learn from what we did here tonight. We can make a difference at the plate next time around.
SOPHOMORE P Brittany Barnhill
On the pitchers' duel: I think that we both pitched really well. We are from the same area, so I know her and I'm so proud of her. I think home runs happen, hits happen and you have to let your chips fall where they may.
On relying on her defense: I think going after hitters is the best way to do things and hopefully you get some groundballs and strikeouts here and there. She (Whitney Canion) did a great job of getting strikeouts. I'm not there yet, but right now we're finding different ways to win and that is what is important.
On her own hitting: I like to try to contribute. I wish I could contribute a little more with runners on base, but unfortunately I didn't come up in the right situations tonight. I just try to make the best of each at-bat and do what I can to help my team win.
