The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Texas A&M
Softball falls 6-1 to Texas A&M in State Farm Lone Star Showdown
05.02.2009 | Softball
May 2, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- Bailey Schroeder's two-out grand slam in the top of the fifth inning paced the Texas A&M softball team to a 6-1 win against Texas in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown on Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 1,376 fans at Red and Charline McCombs Field. The Aggies improved to 30-19 overall (7-9 Big 12) on the season, while the Longhorns fell to 37-17 overall (11-7 Big 12). The attendance mark tied the ninth-largest single-game total in McCombs Field history.
With Saturday's win, Texas A&M earned a half-point in the annual State Farm Lone Star Showdown. Texas currently holds an 8.5-7.5 lead in this year's standings. This marks the fifth year of the Showdown, the all-sports athletic competition between Texas and Texas A&M. In order to win the Showdown, a school must acquire 10.0 points during the year.
Freshman Rebecca Arbino (10-6) earned the win for the Aggies with a complete-game effort, allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out two and walking one. Sophomore Brittany Barnhill (23-12) took the loss for the Longhorns, allowing six runs on six hits while striking out five and walking six in 4.2 innings of work. Junior Erin Tresselt pitched a scoreless final 2.1 innings for Texas, allowing just two hits while striking out two.
The Longhorns got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Loryn Johnson drew a one-out walk, and junior Kori Cook pinch-ran for Johnson. Freshman Lexy Bennett's single through the left side of the infield put runners on first and second. Sophomore Amy Hooks grounded to shortstop Macie Morrow, who tagged out Cook. But Morrow's throw to first while trying to complete the double play was wild and landed out of play, resulting in a two-base error that allowed Bennett to come around and score the game's first run.
The Aggies answered in the top of the fifth. Natalie Villarreal led off the frame with a walk. After Morrow struck out, Villarreal advanced to second on a wild pitch and Erin Glasco walked. A Rhiannon Kliesing single to center scored Villarreal from second base to even the count at 1-1.
Texas A&M continued the rally, as a Holly Ridley infield single loaded the bases with one out. Following a Kelsey Spittler fielder's choice where Glasco was forced out at home, Bailey Schroeder sent a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left field for her second home run of the season and her first career grand slam to give Texas A&M a 5-1 cushion. The ensuing batter, Alex Reynolds, deposited her third home run of the year over the fence in left center to close out the scoring.
Texas threatened to narrow the gap in the bottom of the seventh when the Horns led off the frame with back-to-back singles from Bennett and Hooks. Arbino then retired the next three batters in order to finish out her complete-game victory.
Bennett paced the Texas offensive attack, going 3-for-3 and scoring the Horns' lone run.
The Longhorns return to action on May 8-10 (Friday-Sunday) in the Big 12 Conference Championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Pairings for the league tournament will be released on Sunday, May 3.
Post-game quotes
Head coach Connie Clark
On Brittany Barnhill's control issues: We had some struggles with walks early in the season, and that was a big point of emphasis. Unfortunately, tonight's walks came with a couple of timely hits that (Texas A&M) got. That's the difference.
On whether the loss will carry into postseason play: I hope not. We kind of put that (the Big 12 tournament) into our next segment, the postseason. It gets us geared up to get reset and go back to work in the Big 12.
On looking ahead to the Big 12 Tournament next week: I think we've taken care of the business that we needed to (for a NCAA Tournament bid), but it still stings. You don't like to lose to A&M on your home turf in front of a full crowd on senior night, but you just have to get past it. Now we'll get reset and focused on what's next.
Freshman shortstop Lexy Bennett
On tallying three hits for the Longhorn offense tonight: I usually do pretty well against the other A&M pitcher, but I didn't know what to expect of her (Rebecca Ardino). We talked about her and watched video of her, how she works in and out and low in the zone. I just tried to hit ground balls and make something happen. That was my approach.
