University of North Texas Athletics
Johnston Hits Game-Winning Home Run In Mean Green Sweep
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
DENTON (4/5/06) Sophomore Taylor Johnston hit the game-winning home run in the North Texas softball team’s 4-2 win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Wednesday afternoon at Denia Park. The Mean Green won the first game of the doubleheader, 10-2.
North Texas extended its record to 16-19, surpassing last year’s total of 15 wins. The Islanders have now lost 12 straight and fall to 6-30 overall.
Johnston went 4-for-6 in the combined two games with three extra-base hits. Her home run in the sixth inning was her only hit of the second game and broke a 2-2 tie. The home run was Johnston’s second of the season after hitting her first one over the weekend at the University of Nevada Tournament against Portland State. She posted her first double and triple of her career in the 10-2 win.
"I have been seeing the ball really well," said Johnston about her success at the plate. "I don’t what it is, but I have been seeing the ball very clear."
Kristina Fowler (14-8) relieved starter Jessica Smith in the sixth inning of the second game and earned her second win of the day after allowing only hit in the final two innings. Smith allowed only six hits in five-plus innings of work but left with the game tied at 2-2. Fowler earned her first win after allowing only five hits and one unearned run in five innings. The sophomore knocked in the team’s 10th run in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game on the run rule.
North Texas tied season highs in the first game with 10 runs, 12 hits and 10 RBI. Seven of the 12 hits were for extra bases, including home runs by juniors Susan Waters and Heather Bostic. Waters’ home run gave North Texas an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and marked her 12th of the season. North Texas has hit at least one home run in the last seven games.
Johnston’s home run to left center field was the first pitch in her at-bat. "It always feels good when you hit a home run," said Johnston. "You just know when you hit it. You don’t even have to see it go out."
Waters posted two hits in each of the two games, extending her hitting streak to six games. She leads the team with a .375 batting average. Fowler is also carrying a six-game hitting streak, which is a career high.
Sophomore Jonna Williams and freshman Sarah Jones helped tie the second game at 2-2 with back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth inning. Jones also posted a hit in the 10-2 win.
North Texas opens conference play this weekend with three games against FIU in Miami. The Mean Green play a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 pm.
