March 27, 2004
Austin, Tx-In their Big 12 conference opener the Tigers beat the Texas Longhorns 3-0. With the win the Tigers improve to 14-19 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
"Everything up to this point has been a pre-season, similar to baseball's spring training," said head coach Ty Singleton. I'm very pleased with our approach for our first Big 12 game and we're going to look to build on this first game. I'm proud of the effort the young women put forward in today's game."
The Tigers got going out of the gate on a single by Joanne Loethen and then Morgan LeCluyse was able to get on base with a fielders choice, while Loethen was out at second, caught stealing. The Tigers ended the inning when Heather Kunkel popped up to second base. The Tigers went to work on the defensive end behind the pitching of Erin Kalka who struck out the first three Longhorn batters.
The Longhorns were able to hold the Tigers scoreless in the second inning behind the pitching of Christina Gwynn. The Longhorns were able to get on base in the bottom of the second inning on a single by second baseman Chez Sievers, and were able to get left fielder Sarah Wieszczak on base on a Tiger error but couldn't score a run as the Tiger defense held them scoreless.
LeCluyse was able to get on base in the top of the fourth inning on a double by Morgan LeCluyse who then advanced to third on a pop up to shortstop by Heather Kunkel. LeCluyse advanced home on a single by designated player Samantha Fleeman, giving the Tigers the 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning.
The Longhorns tried for a rally in the bottom of the fourth on a single through the right center by Chez Sievers but the rally stopped short when Sarah Wieszczak grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning.
The Tigers managed to put another run on the board when Leanne Bowers advanced home on a Longhorn wild pitch. Bowers reached base on a double through right field, and advanced to third on a Longhorn error before advancing home, making the score 2-0, Tigers.
In the top of the sixth inning the Tigers reached base with a single by Alli Kennewell and a single by Samantha Fleeman, putting runners on first and second base. The Tigers put another run on the board when Alli Kennewell advanced home on a Longhorn error, bringing the Tiger lead to 3-0.
Heading into the seventh inning the Tigers maintained the lead though were unable to put any additional runs in the top of the seventh inning. The Longhorns tried to make late rally getting on base on a Tiger error but the rally fell short as the Tiger defense and pitcher Erin Kalka stymied the Longhorn batters.
The Tigers set the tone of the game with defense allowing the Longhorns only three hits and no runs for the game. Pitcher Erin Kalka struck out five batters and only allowed one walk. With the win Kalka wins her tenth game and earns her fifth shutout of the season.
The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow for game two of the series. The first pitch is scheduled for 1PM. Tiger fans can catch the team in action at home on Saturday April 3 when they take on the Cowgirls of Oklahoma State in a weekend series at University Field.