May 14, 2005

Final Bracket

Texas topped Missouri 2-0 to win the 2005 Big 12 Conference softball tournament at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium Saturday.

Designated player Monica Askew singled in two runs in the bottom of the fifth to break a 0-0 dealock and put Texas ahead for good at the final 2-0 margin.

All-America and U.S. Olympic pitching standout Cat Osterman of Texas began the game extending a streak of consecutive strikeouts over three games to 12. It ended with the sixth hitter of the contest, but she retired nine of the first 11 Tigers' hitters she faced with a pair of walks and struck out 16 hitters one off the Big 12 tourney record of 17 whiffs and allowed one hit. She was named Most Valuable Player in the tournament after tossing a no-hitter, one-hitter and winning relief.

The teams were locked in a scoreless tie through four innings as Osterman and righthander Erin Kalka (10-6 overall, 3-1 in the tournament to tie Osterman for the lead in pitchers' victories) had the best of opposing hitters. Kalka took a no-hitter into the fifth frame before Texas SS Desiree Williams singled.

Texas went 4-0 in the Big 12 tournament in a sweep as the No. 3 seed. The Longhorns added their fourth conference tourney crown -- more than any other league squad. Oklahoma won the initial Big 12 postseason softball event in 1996 and 2001, while Nebraska (three) and Missouri (one) have captured team trophies in the tourney.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

P/3B Megan Gibson, Texas A&M
C Heather Scaglione, Oklahoma
2B Carrie Leerberg, Baylor
SS Kim Wilmoth, Baylor
P Kami Keiter, Oklahoma
SS Heather Kunkel, Missouri
OF Janessa Roening, Missouri
P/DP Jen Bruck, Missouri
OF Tina Boutelle, Texas
C Megan Willis, Texas
2B Chez Sievers, Texas
OF Kelly Osburn, Baylor
P Erin Kalka, Missouri
MVP: P Cat Osterman, Texas

QUOTES

Texas Head Coach Connie Clark
On the game:
"At the beginning of the tournament, we just wanted to come in here and get hitting on all cylinders and get our defense and pitching going. We did that this week, and I'm really proud of our club. That was our goal going into the postseason, and I think we're mentally prepared and in a good position heading into the NCAA tournament."

On the conference:
"This conference was great this year. The seeds made no difference heading into the tournament. It was extremely competitive, and we want the Big 12 to go far in the postseason."

Missouri Head Coach Ty Singleton
On the game:
"We were very pleased with our defense. We are disappointed in our offense, because we are better hitters and we showed it in the rest of the tournament. You have to give a lot of credit to Cat Osterman, she did a fantastic job."

On Cat Osterman:
"She throws the ball well. We've beaten her twice, but we didn't do that today. Hopefully, we'll get an opportunity to do that in the World Series."

2005 Big 12 Tournament Champions (Photo Courtesy Of Jerry Laizure)