The national spotlight shone through the overcast Austin skyline Wednesday evening as the Baylor Bears staged a dramatic last-inning comeback to overcome the Texas Longhorns in front of the ESPNU cameras.
Protecting a slim 4-3 lead with two outs in the seventh inning, the Longhorns (18-13-2) and freshman pitcher Brittany Barnhill were undone by a two run double from Courtney Oberg, the final swing in a game filled with clutch hits.
Behind the effectively wild pitching of Meagan Denny, the Longhorns held a 1-0 lead going into the sixth inning. However, a single and walk set the stage for a game-tying double from Jordan Daniels, chasing Denny from the game.
Barnhill closed out the inning, but allowed both inherited runners to score, putting the 'Horns in a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth.
However, they would rally behind hits from Tallie Thrasher and an RBI single from Barnhill, leaving two runners on for freshman outfielder Amy Hooks.
Mired in a season-long slump, the freshman delivered what looked to be a game-winning two-run double on a full count with two outs.
"I was just thinking about putting the ball in play," Hooks said. "I got the result I wanted tonight, it felt great."
Barnhill took to the circle for the final inning with the task of silencing the Bears' offense. With two runners on, two outs and a 1-2 count, Oberg delivered the winning blow.
"I was right where I wanted to be," Barnhill said. "I'm getting there. I'm getting the hang of it, but it's a process."
The dramatic ending snapped the Longhorns' brief two-game winning streak while ending a five-game skid for the Bears. Yet in spite of the heartbreaking loss, coach Connie Clark was quick to point to the positives in the Texas performance.
"It was a heck of a battle," she said. "We were right there tonight from the first pitch to the last pitch."
Yet beyond the national audience and dramatic ending, this game represents another turning point in the Texas season. With the game hanging in the balance in the sixth inning, Clark showed a newfound trust in her freshmen, throwing both Hooks and Barnhill into the Big 12 fire.
Although Barnhill emerged from the confrontation with a loss, Clark is seeing a young pitcher develop before her eyes.
"[Barnhill] is hanging her head tonight because she thinks it's on her, but it does not come down to one thing," Clark said. "She's developed tremendously well."
Yet for all the positives abound in the Longhorns' performance, they were all left shaking their heads as Baylor players celebrated in the infield.
Not for the first time this season, they found themselves one pitch away from victory, unable to deliver the final blow.
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