The Longhorns' winning streak of 12-0 against the Houston Cougars is now over as the Cougars shutout the Longhorns 6-0 in the first game, and then beat them again 5-1 in game two of the non-conference double-header.
After coming off a sub-par weekend tournament at the Texas Classic, the Longhorns were ready to prove that they were capable of playing like a championship team against Houston.
However, in game one, Cougars' pitcher Angel Shamblin threw a complete shutout, which earned Houston the win. Shamblin scattered five hits and fanned 15 Longhorns. Texas senior hurler Meagan Denny only lasted one inning, as she allowed five runs on only four hits. This was Texas' first time to be shutout this season.
Even though Texas was off their game, Houston deserves a lot of credit considering they are currently ranked number 14 in the nation, while Texas is unranked.
As they headed into the Texas Classic last weekend, the Longhorns were ranked 22, but after having a couple uncharacteristic performances, and ending the tournament with a 3-2 record, they fell out of the polls for the first time since the final poll of the 2004 season. There is no doubt about it - Texas is in a slump. And although they are trying to dig themselves out, their game plan is not working.
In their second game of the double-header against Houston, Texas actually showed some promise as their defense, freshman pitcher Brittany Barnhill kept Houston scoreless through five frames.
"I think if she can keep doing the little things that we are working on in practice that she will do some really good things for us down the stretch," Texas head coach Connie Clark said
of Barnhill.
Texas was also held hitless through the first five frames, but took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth thanks to two Houston errors, and a single by junior shortstop Desiree Williams. The Cougars' error moved senior outfielder MicKayla Padilla to second, and then Williams' single moved Padilla to third, where she then scored on a throwing error that followed Williams' hit. But Houston soon caught up to Texas when they scored a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth. The game remained tied after the seventh inning, forcing necessary overtimes. The Cougars turned on the heat in the bottom of the ninth as junior third-baseman Christa Raley lead off the inning with a walk. Then the next two at bats landed players on bases. With the bases loaded, catcher Elaina Nordstrom hit a grand slam, accumulating four RBI.
Texas fought throughout the entire game, but was unable to clinch the win in the end. Even though they lost both games, they showed that they can completely forget about being shutout and play the same team and hold them off up until the end.
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