April 05, 2006
Amanda Scarborough threw a complete game two-hitter and Megan Gibson went 2-for-2 with one RBI and a run scored to upset the No. 1 Texas Longhorns (38-4,5-1) 4-2 in front of 1,423 fans at the State Farm Lone Star Showdown at McCombs Field in Austin on Wednesday night.
The win marked the second time this season A&M (26-10, 5-1) has knocked off a top-ranked opponent. The first, a 1-0 victory over Arizona on March 16th in the Judi Garman Classic.
?I thought our kids played absolutely terrific,? commented A&M head coach Jo Evans. ?We had one error that cost us a couple of runs, but we stayed tough played great defense and got great pitching from Scarborough and I?â„¢m so pleased with our approach at the plate.?
A&M attacked early putting up two runs in the top of the first. Jamie Hinshaw reached on a lead-off walk and was advanced to second on a sac bunt by Sharonda McDonald. Gibson looped a single into left field advancing Hinshaw to third. Starting pitcher Scarborough then earned a walk. Hinshaw was able to score and the runners advance on a wild pitch by UT?â„¢s Meagan Denny. Jami Lobpries recorded an RBI on a sac fly to center that scored Gibson before Rocky Spencer struck out to end the inning.
?I told our kids before the game to take your walks when you can get them,? Evans noted. ?And then we can make some things happen and that?â„¢s exactly what happened in that first inning. The kids did a good job to get themselves on base.?
An error in the bottom of the second allowed the Longhorns to even the score at two. Chez Sievers reached on a fielder?â„¢s choice and stole her third base of the season. Rachael Cook struck out but reached first on a wild pitch by Scarborough and advanced to second as Sievers scored on a poorly thrown ball to the plate by catcher Patti Wunderlich. The next batter, Crystal Saenz lined a single into right field bringing in Cook from second.
The Aggies took a 3-2 lead in the third on a double over Tina Boutelle?â„¢s head in center by Gibson that scored McDonald from second. McDonald reached on a walk and stole her 17th base of the season to move into scoring position. The RBI was Gibson?â„¢s sixth game-winner of the season.
In the top of the fourth, Holly Ridley led-off with her third home run of the season to extend the Aggie lead 4-2. The solo shot cleared dead center, just under the scoreboard.
The home run served as Denny?â„¢s last pitch of the game as Texas head coach Connie Clark brought in Cat Osterman with the bases empty and no outs. Osterman struck out Ronda Smith, coaxed a fly ball by Joy Davis before allowing a base hit by Hinshaw. Osterman got out of the inning with Hinshaw being caught trying to steal second.
Texas threatened to comeback in the bottom of the seventh as pinch-hitter Kacie Gaskin reached on a single with one out and Jacqueline Williams walked. Cook then struck out and Saenz grounded out shortstop to first to end the inning.
Denny (15-3) recorded the loss. She threw three complete giving up four runs on five hits. Denny walked three and struck out two on 74 pitches.
In relief, Osterman threw four complete, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out five. The fifth strike out was Osterman?â„¢s 2,000th career strike out, the first time the feat has been reached in NCAA history.
Scarborough was close to perfect on the mound. After giving up just one hit in the second she retired the next 14 Texas batters in order before giving up her second hit to Gaskin. Scarborough allowed only two runs to score, just one being earned. With the win she improved to 11-5 on the season.
?This is one of the best hitting teams Texas has had in many years,? Evans said. ?I thought Scarborough was in total control of the game. She had that fire in her eyes. She went out there with total confidence. She and Patti called a great game for themselves. Their (Texas) hitters were off balance. She used her change-up well. Texas has aggressive hitters and Amanda found ways to get them out.?
Scarborough was named State Farm Player of the Game throwing the complete game two-hitter.
A&M last beat UT at McCombs Field on April 7, 2004. The Aggies shut out the Longhorns, 6-0.
The Aggies return home to take on the No. 21 Oklahoma Sooners in a two-game set Saturday and Sunday of A&M?â„¢s Parent?â„¢s Weekend.
ESPN will broadcast both games against OU, live. Also, live audio and stats for both games will be available at AggieAthletics.com. Fans attending the games can listen to the broadcast inside the stadium on 89.9 FM.
Tickets for this weekend, and all home games, are available at the gate and by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE.