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Feb. 22, 2009

Box Score

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- The Texas Softball team answered a sixth-inning Long Island rally with a three-run homer by sophomore catcher Amy Hooks in the seventh to knock off the Blackbirds, 5-4 in UT’s Cathedral City Classic finale. Hooks’ blast was her second final-inning homer of the tourney after hitting a walk-off in UT’s 3-2 win over Tennessee Tech. The Longhorns victory moved Texas to 9-4 on the year and 4-1 on the weekend, while Long Island fell to 4-4.

Texas bounced back from a 3-2 deficit in the seventh, plating three runs on five hits while sending all nine hitters to the plate. Senior centerfielder Kacie Gaskin and junior outfielder Brittany Chalk started the rally with a pair of singles before Hooks launched a three-run homer down the leftfield line to put UT ahead, 5-3. The Longhorns registered two more hits and walk, but stranded three runners to end the frame.

In the first, Texas took an early 1-0 lead, using a leadoff walk by senior first baseman Desiree Williams and a single by Chalk to start the frame. Both runners moved into scoring position when Chalk was struck by the third baseman’s throw when running to first base. Williams then came home on an RBI single through the left side by junior rightfielder Tallie Thrasher.

The Blackbirds responded in the bottom of the first using three straight hits, including an RBI single by Stephanie Savre to even the game at one. Long Island loaded the bases following the run, but two plays at the plate cut down runners and a strikeout by Schroeder got UT out of the inning.

The Longhorns answered with another run in the second, when a one-out single by freshman third baseman Nadia Taylor started a rally and an RBI single by Gaskin scored Taylor from second.

A leadoff double by LIU chased Schroeder from the game in the fifth before a walk, fielder’s choice and single loaded the bases for the Blackbirds. Barnhill issued a bases loaded walk to Lauren Kemp, allowing one run to score, but a pair of fielder’s choices, including an out at the plate bailed the Horns out without any further damage.

Long Island took the lead in the sixth when Renae Beauchman drew a bases loaded walk to give the Blackbirds a 3-2 edge. After Texas reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh, LIU answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, but managed just one run with the bases loaded for the fourth time in the game.

Texas returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 26 when it hosts Louisiana Monroe in a doubleheader at McCombs Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Connie Clark
General comment: I like how our team played this weekend. We talked about looking at the team’s body of work for the weekend with the five games and I think we did a nice job competing. At this time of the season that is what we are keying on. When we gave up some runs on defense we would come right back on offense and take care of business. I think we were able to grow in that regard and that is a positive for down the stretch.

On escaping four bases loaded situations with minimal damage: There were obviously some frustrations. (Brittany) Barnhill just needs to breathe and stay in the moment and stay focused. She didn’t do that quite as well today, but on the flip side she did get us some groundballs in key situations that gave us opportunities to get out of innings. As a whole we just need to stay focused as a pitching staff and key on getting groundballs and getting people out.

On Amy Hooks: I think one thing that Hooks is doing well is that she is loose. She doesn’t get consumed with what happened in her previous at-bats. She has a very good mindset on performing in the now. That is something that serves her very well. She made an adjustment in the seventh after getting jammed twice earlier in the game and she came through when we needed her most.