Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Texas
Oklahoma State Drops Two At Texas
April 22, 2000 | Cowgirl Softball
April 22, 2000
AUSTIN, Texas - The University of Texas softball team swept a doubleheader over No. 22 Oklahoma State on Saturday at Red and Charline McCombs Field, winning the first game 3-2 in 10 innings and claiming a 9-1 victory in five innings in game two. With the wins, Texas' record improves to 26-21-1 overall and 11-3 in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowgirls fall to 32-19 overall and 7-9 in conference play.
In game one, the Longhorns posted two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning before Oklahoma State answered by scoring two in the top of the fifth. In the top of the 10th inning, Oklahoma State's junior leftfielder Amanda Hayes was placed on second base per the international tie breaker rule. Junior righthander Charla Moore (Pasadena, Texas / Sam Rayburn HS), who pitched the final four innings in relief of senior righthander Carmen Martinez (Fairfield, Calif. / Fairfield HS) got a foul out before walking freshman catcher Ryan Realmuto. She then forced senior first baseman Christina Shaddox to hit into a double play and end the inning.
Junior first baseman Trisha Tatro (Tucson, Ariz. / Rincon HS) was placed on second for Texas in the bottom of the 10th. After freshman catcher Marlo Hanks (Kingwood, Texas / Kingwood HS) hit a fly out to right field, freshman second baseman Lindsay Gardner (Katy, Texas / Katy HS) grounded into a fielder's choice, erasing the runner at second. Sophomore rightfielder Audrey Hendricks (Surrey, British Columbia / Credo Christian HS) followed with a single, and Gardner was able to score the winning run from first base.
Moore received the win for the Longhorns, pitching four scoreless innings in relief to move to 18-11. She allowed only two hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Freshman lefthander Lauren Bay was tagged with the loss, falling to 14-11 this season. In 9.2 innings, she allowed three earned runs on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.
In game two, the Longhorns jumped on the board early. After the first three Texas batters reached on singles to load the bases, Oklahoma State's freshman righthander Karla Rivera was called for a balk, sending home the first Longhorn run. Freshman lefthander Lauren Bay then came in to relieve Rivera. She walked junior designated player Kathleen Richter (Austin, Texas / Westlake HS) to send in the second run of the game. After Hanks fouled out to first, junior centerfielder Autumn Eastes (Lake Isabella, Calif. / Kern Valley HS) singled to drive in two more runs and give the Horns a 4-0 lead. After Tatro flew out to centerfield, junior leftfielder Tiffiny Valdehueza (Hercules, Calif. / Pinole Valley HS) singled to the shortstop to once again load the bases. An error by sophomore third baseman Jenny Kipp then sent in another Texas run. Hendricks closed out the inning with a single to left field. Eastes was able to score, but Valdehueza was thrown out at home to end the inning.
The Longhorns posted three more runs in the third inning, while Oklahoma State was only able to record one run in the top of the fourth. Due to the eight-run rule, the game ended in the fifth inning with Texas winning 9-1.
Moore was the winning pitcher in the second game as well, moving to 19-11 on the year. She allowed only one run on one hit with four walks and three strikeouts. Rivera was given the loss, falling to 11-6. She pitched 0.2 innings, giving up four runs on four hits with no walks or strikeouts. Bay pitched 3.1 innings in relief, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits with four walks and a strikeout.
Gardner recorded a hit in each game of the doubleheader to stretch her hitting streak to nine games. This is the longest streak for any Longhorn this season, breaking the previous team-high of eight games set by Gardner from February 13 versus Long Beach State through February 22 versus UT-San Antonio. She was a combined 3-for-6 on the day with one RBI and three runs scored.
"I was very happy with the way we played today," said head coach Connie Clark. "We came through in clutch situations, and really proved ourselves with the wins. Charla had an excellent day on the mound. After pitching four innings in the first game, the fact that she was able to hurl a one-hitter in game two is outstanding. Our hitters really came through for us as well. Everyone really contributed to these victories."
Texas returns to action on Wednesday, April 29 when the Horns take on Texas A&M in a 6 p.m. single game at McCombs Field. The game will be televised live by the College Sports Southwest Network. In the Austin area, the game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable Channel 62. In the Bryan / College Station viewing area, Cox Cable Channel 15 will carry the game.
