Softball Drops Heartbreaker In Austin

Sunday, February 6

Austin, Texas

1:00 PM

University of Houston

0-3

Texas

3-0

Houston

Texas

2/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 6, 2005

Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas - Despite back-to-back homeruns from senior Kim Nesloney, the Cougar softball team came up short in a 5-4 heartbreaking loss to No. 6 Texas in the final game of a three-game series in Austin.

After being held scoreless in both games of a doubleheader the two teams played on Saturday, the Cougars came up with four runs on five hits against the Longhorns on Sunday afternoon.

"I thought we played better today through our first three innings," said Houston head coach Kyla Holas. "It was in the last four innings that we left our game plan and that is where the runs changed."

Texas threw All-American standout Cat Osterman for the second time in as many days. However, this time Osterman logged five innings while giving up three runs on three hits including the both of Nesloney's homers.

"I wasn't thinking a whole lot," said Nesloney who became the first player to ever launch two homeruns in a single game against Osterman. "I just set a goal to hit early in the pitch count and tried to hit the first strike she threw."

Nesloney would face Osterman a third time on the day, but was walked to avoid a possible third.

Houston took the early lead in the first inning as Nesloney, batting in the leadoff position, got a hold of the third pitch of the game and sent it flying over the left field wall to put the Cougars up 1-0.

However, Nesloney wasn't finished. Up 1-0 with no outs in the third inning, Nesloney stepped up and hit a second homerun in the same spot as her first, this time driving in junior Brooke Johnson from second base. The two-run shot gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

For Nesloney, the two homeruns marked the first time in her career that the senior has put two balls over the fence in a single game. It also moved her into the No. 7 spot on the Cougars' all-time homer list with seven homeruns during her career.

Houston's shutout campaign wouldn't last long as the Longhorns' Alexis Garcia responded with a solo shot to begin the bottom of the third and put Texas on the board.

Before the third inning was over, a hit into left field and a sacrifice fly to deep left, tied up the ballgame at 3 apiece.

The fourth inning saw the lead slip away as Texas' Lacy Robinson scored from third off a hit sacrifice fly to left field by Tina Boutelle to put Texas up 4-3.

Houston had a chance to tie up the ballgame or take the lead in the sixth with senior Kristen Glowacz on third base and junior Brandi Clark on second. Freshman Angel Shamblin came to bat with two outs and hit a dribbling ball to the Texas pitcher and was thrown out at first base to end the inning.

Needing at least one run to stay alive, Johnson stepped up and hit a looping ball into centerfield. An error by the Longhorns fielder allowed Johnson to advance to third, Texas then walked Nesloney, bring freshman Dru Daniels to the plate with two on and one out.

Daniels drilled the ball just beyond the reach of the Texas shortstop to bring in Johnson and tie up the game at 4 runs each heading into the bottom of the seventh.

The Longhorns managed to place runners at second and third before a wild pitch by Cougar freshman Barbie Love allowed Amber Hall to score from third base and gave the Longhorns a 5-4 win.

Houston returns home to begin a month-long home stand as the Cougars host four tournaments beginning with the Houston Hilton Plaza Tournament