The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 19 Fresno State
No. 13 Softball falls to No. 19 Fresno State, 5-4
02.25.2010 | Softball
Feb. 25, 2010
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- The No. 13 Texas Softball team's comeback fell short on Thursday afternoon as it suffered its first loss of the season, falling to No. 19 Fresno State, 5-4 at the Cathedral City Classic. The loss dropped the Longhorns to 11-1 on the year, while the Bulldogs improved to 8-1 overall.
Freshman righthander Kim Bruins (4-1) was saddled with the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in 2.1 innings of work. Senior reliever Erin Tresselt spelled her and fired 3.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit relief. Fresno State starter Morgan Melloh (5-1) earned the win, throwing a complete game and scattering four runs on four hits and fanning 11.
Texas grabbed a quick 2-0 advantage in the first, using a single by sophomore designated player Lexy Bennett and a walk by junior catcher Amy Hooks to start the rally. Sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor drove both runners home with an RBI double down the rightfield line.
Fresno State got on the board in the second with a solo homer by Courtney Moore and tacked on four more runs in the third. A Texas miscue allowed the first Bulldog baserunner to reach and a single by Haley Gilleland put runners at the corners with one out. An RBI single by Jody Badorine evened the tally at two before a three-run homer by Michelle Moses gave FSU a 5-2 edge.
The Horns fought back in the fourth, taking advantage of a leadoff walk by Hooks and a two-run homer to left centerfield by Taylor to narrow the Fresno State lead to 5-4.
Texas used a one-out walk by senior pinch hitter Tallie Thrasher and a FSU error on Bruins' fielder's choice to put two on in the seventh. Sophomore centerfielder Courtney Craig went down on strikes for the second out before Bennett launched a deep fly ball to right centerfield that was caught just in front of the fence to end the game.
Taylor headlined the Horns' offense in the game, driving in all four runs, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk.
Texas returns to action on Friday, Feb. 26 when it takes on No. 3 UCLA. First pitch is set for 10:30 p.m. Central.
