WCMessenger.com: Barnhill throws Texas a curve ball

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Barnhill throws Texas a curve ball

Former Northwest standout transfers after successful season

By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, June 25, 2009

As a sophomore in one of the top softball programs in the country at the University of Texas, Brittany Barnhill picked up where she left off in high school and led the team in wins, strikeouts and earned-run-average while playing in 46 games this season.

Today, the Longhorns are looking for a new pitcher as the former Northwest High School all-state hurler asked for - and was granted - an immediate release from her full-ride scholarship.

"Brittany is a student-athlete who pushes herself in the classroom as well as on the playing field, and we sincerely wish her success," head coach Connie Clark said.

Barnhill has not yet made public her decision to leave UT, but she has made it clear that her career is far from over. Texas' No. 2 pitcher, Torrey Schroeder, has also been granted a release and is exploring her Division I options on the West Coast.

"I am grateful for everything that the University of Texas has done for me, and I'm going to miss everyone very much," Barnhill said. "I definitely enjoyed my two years at Texas. The girls are some of the best girls that I have ever been around."

Barnhill posted a 26-14 record this season with a 2.69 ERA while leading the Longhorns to a 40-20 season.

"I feel like I need to find somewhere a little smaller that fits more with my personality," said the Rhome native.

The 2007 Northwest graduate, who was named Gatorade Player of the Year and led the Lady Texans to the state tournament, made state and national headlines when she broke the Texas high school strikeout record with 1,715 while posting an 0.06 ERA. She was recruited by nearly every school in the country before choosing Texas and is expected to be back on the field this fall.

Barnhill, who refused further comment, said she hopes to announce her future plans in the next two weeks.

The former Wise County star earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2009, registered a 33-24 mark in her two years at UT, posting 264 strikeouts in 72 career appearances. She hit .254 for her career and notched 59 hits, 21 runs scored and 35 RBI. She also led the Big 12 in wins this year, was sixth in strikeouts (114) and notched one no-hitter.