The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
No. 20 Texas A&M
No. 16 Softball edged by No. 20 Texas A&M, 1-0
04.07.2010 | Softball
April 7, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Freshman righthander Blaire Luna threw a gem for the No. 16 Texas Softball team, but No. 20 Texas A&M capitalized on an error and a hit in the bottom of the seventh to edge the Horns, 1-0, Wednesday night at the Aggie Softball Complex. The loss dropped the Horns to 32-9 on the year and 5-1 in Big 12 play, while the Aggies improved to 32-9 overall and 4-2 in league action.
Texas A&M' victory narrowed Texas' lead in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown standings, moving the all-sports tally to 6.5 points-to-5.0 points. This marks the sixth 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.
Luna (19-5) was saddled with the loss after firing 6.2 innings, allowing two hits, surrendering one unearned run, walking three and fanning 12. Despite allowing a run, Luna extended her streak of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run to 42.2 innings. Texas A&M starter Rebecca Arbino (18-6) earned the win after throwing a complete game shutout, scattering two hits and striking out three.
Texas A&M broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the seventh, using a one-out walk by Macie Morrow to start the rally. Morrow stole second on Bailey Schroeder's strikeout, but an errant throw by junior catcher Amy Hooks allowed Morrow to advance to third. Morrow raced home for the game-winning run on Melissa Dumezich's RBI single through the middle.
The Horns threatened in the fifth with sophomore third baseman Nadia Taylor reaching on a leadoff hit-by-pitch and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Senior designated player Tallie Thrasher followed with a scorched line drive to the left centerfield gap, but a diving catch by Kelsey Spittler allowed the Aggies to double-off Taylor and end the frame.
Both pitcher's no-hit bids were dashed in the sixth after sophomore outfielder Courtney Craig tallied a two-out double in the top of the frame and A&M's Lauren Schwirtlich doubled to lead off the bottom of the frame.
Texas returns to action on Saturday, April 10 when it kicks off its two-game series with No. 7 Missouri at McCombs Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Central.
POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas' loss moved its all-time record against Texas A&M to 16-18.
- Blaire Luna's 6.2-inning outing without allowing an earned run pushed her career-best streak of consecutive innings without an earned run to 42.2 innings.
- The loss snapped Texas' eight-game winning streak that dated back to March 27 against Nebraska.
