Horns beat Bobcats at crucial time
Win keeps UT alive for chance to make super-regional.
— Sometimes sports karma is kind to those who screw up, yet keep plugging away.
The Texas softball team found itself in an uncomfortable spot Saturday night. The Longhorns were hitless at the plate. And for a moment, the defense fell apart as UT floundered while trying to keep its season alive in an NCAA Tournament elimination game against Texas State.
The Bobcats (42-17) scored two unearned runs in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of two throwing errors as UT failed to successfully field a sacrifice bunt. Then Texas State padded the lead to 3-0 when Bobcats first baseman Taylor Webb blasted a home run over the left field fence to lead off the sixth. Yet the two Longhorns (33who had throwing errors — Celina Felix and Kaitlyn Wash- ington — came back in the crit- ical sixth inning to knock in a total of five runs and propel their team to a 6-3 victory.
That meant UT would meet host Texas A&M, the tournament’s ninth seed nationally, Sunday needing to win two games to advance to a super- regional.
Earlier Saturday, Texas run- ruled Texas Southern 8-0. The Longhorns had been forced into the losers bracket because of a 2-1, 12-inning loss to Texas State on Friday night.
Texas celebrated its Saturday night win in a big way because the Longhorns finally beat Texas State this season after losing three straight to the Bobcats.
“They say the third time’s a charm, but obviously it took us four,” UT coach Connie Clark said. “It’s been a challenge every time we’ve played them.”
The previous three games between the two teams had been 2-1 losses, with Texas State pitcher Randi Rupp the victor in all of them.
But Rupp didn’t play against UT on Saturday night. She’d pitched 19 innings in 24 hours, and Bobcats coach Ricci Wood- ard said she was hoping to save her for Sunday’s game. Instead, Quincy Charleston got the nod.
Charleston befuddled the Longhorns, inducing them to hit numerous ground balls. Texas State gave her a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth. Catcher HaleighDavis walked to lead off the inning. Bailee Carter bunted to move Davis into scoring position. But Felix, UT’s third baseman, threw wildly to first base. Right fielder Washington scooped up the ball and threw toward third to keep Davis from advancing, but no Longhorn was covering third.
Instead, Davis scored an unearned run and Carter was awarded third. After UT pitcher Erica Wright struck out Christina McDowell, Kimberlin Naivar singled to bring in Carter for a second unearned run.
Finally, the Longhorns figured out Charleston. With runners on second and third in the sixth inning, Felix singled up the middle to bring in two runs. With two outs and the bases loaded, freshman Tuesday Dermargosian legged out an infield hit, driving in Felix to tie the game. Then Washington smashed a double to left field for three RBIs.
A heavy rain began just as the Bobcats began their final inning. Wright, who notched the win, retired Texas State in order for a drama-free finish.