Texas didn't need Meagan Denny to be perfect to win Saturday. Not giving up a base runner until the seventh inning with a 6-0 lead was only a bonus.
But her 17th win and 15th complete game of the season came as scant consolation to the senior ace, who saw a chance at perfection evaporate in the final inning for the second consecutive start.
The Longhorns (24-17-2, 8-6 Big 12) could have used another dominating performance in game two Sunday, as a re-energized Missouri lineup awoke from its game one slumber to post 10 hits and four runs in the weekend finale, ensuring a series split with a 4-1 win.
"You've got to credit Missouri, they did a great job," Texas coach Connie Clark said Sunday. "Our team had a great week, and that's where we need to be at this stage of the season."
While Denny was flirting with perfection in game one, Texas' offense was methodically attacking Tigers pitcher Jen Bruck. Making the most of their opportunities, the Longhorns used a double steal to take a 1-0 lead in the third, breaking a scoreless pitching duel. Sophomore Kori Cook stole home after being hit by a pitch while Desiree Williams attracted a throw by stealing second.
Texas added runs through an RBI groundout by Tallie Thrasher, a run-producing single from Loryn Johnson, a Brittany Chalk double and a rare Crystal Saenz two-run home run.
"It was a good performance all the way around," Clark said. "What I like the most about [Saturday] was that it felt like every time we had a runner in scoring position, we cashed in."
Denny finished her afternoon with a stat line that seemed to understate her dominance. She gave up one earned run and two hits over seven, while striking out nine and allowing no walks.
"I think that she has just been a great pitcher recently," Clark said. "She hasn't tried to do too much, and she hasn't tried to be a thrower in specific situations, especially when she faced their three, four and five batters."
Denny again took the circle for game two Sunday on seniors' day at McCombs Field. A large "2" - Denny's jersey number - accompanied fellow senior MicKayla Padilla's "4" and the Longhorn silhouette spray painted in centerfield.
But the Missouri offense, anchored by a middle third of the line-up that has combined for 43 home runs and 126 RBIs, wasted no time in reversing their Saturday fortunes.
Missouri (40-13, 7-5) center fielder and leadoff-hitter Rhea Taylor followed her seventh-inning
single on Saturday with another soft hit and stolen base to start the game Sunday, setting the table for a tense inning that plated the Tigers an early run. Taylor recorded four infield hits, stole three bases and scored three of the four Missouri runs.
"We didn't beat ourselves, we didn't issue her [Taylor] any free passes, but she runs exceptionally well, and that was the difference," Clark said.
Catcher Kacie Gaskin responded for the Longhorns with a solo home run in the second inning, but the Texas offense mustered only one more hit and no runs for the rest of the game.
Missouri starter Stacy Delaney matched Denny's game one performance with a complete game two-hitter. She struck out five and walked one while keeping the Longhorn bats silent.
Denny pitched her 16th complete game of the season, but a constant barrage of singles from an offense usually renowned for its power ground out four runs.
The senior struck out six and walked one in a marathon 133-pitch outing.
"They had my number today," Denny said. "I pitched as well as I did yesterday; they just had my number down."
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