The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Oklahoma
Softball falls to No. 9 Oklahoma, 6-2 in Big 12 Championship semis
05.09.2009 | Softball
May 9, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Freshman rightfielder Courtney Craig notched a team-best three hits as Texas fell to No. 9 Oklahoma, 6-2 in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship. The Longhorns' loss dropped UT to 38-18 on the season and improved Oklahoma to 40-13.
Sophomore righthander Brittany Barnhill (24-13) suffered the loss after tossing 4.0 innings, allowing six runs on six hits, walking none and fanning one. Junior reliever Torrey Schroeder threw the final 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and striking out one. Oklahoma starter D.J. Mathis (18-4) picked up the victory for the Sooners, firing a complete game, surrendering two runs on seven hits, walking five and striking out seven.
Texas grabbed a quick 1-0 lead in the first, using a single through the middle by freshman rightfielder Courtney Craig to start the rally and an RBI double to right centerfield by junior designated player Loryn Johnson to push Craig across.
Oklahoma took the lead in the bottom of the second when designated player Katie Norris reached on a one-out single and shortstop Karolyne Long smashed a two-run homer to left centerfield to move the tally to 2-1.
The Sooners added three more runs in the third, taking advantage of a one-out single by centerfielder Krystle Huey and a hit-by-pitch from Amber Flores to set the table for first baseman Samantha Ricketts. Ricketts laced a two-run single up the middle to plate the first two runs and she came around to score on a UT error to push the OU lead to 5-1.
The Longhorns narrowed the margin to 5-2 in the fourth when freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor drew a leadoff walk and raced home on sophomore Shelby Savony's pinch-hit single.
Flores added to the Oklahoma lead in the fifth with a solo home run to left field that stretched the OU lead to 6-2.
Texas now awaits its NCAA Championship fate as the tournament field is announced on Sunday, May 10. The selection show airs at 9 p.m. Central on ESPNU.
