The Longhorns advanced to the regional final behind six home runs, tying the NCAA Softball Tournament record.
The Texas Longhorns showcased their offensive prowess in a decisive 16–4 run-rule victory over the Michigan Wolverines in five innings during the Austin Regional at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday. The Longhorns’ bats came alive, delivering six home runs, tying the NCAA Softball Tournament record, and highlighting their formidable lineup and pitching depth to secure their place in the regional final on Sunday.
“We can’t carry any runs over to tomorrow’s game, so it’s going to be a fresh start. And the game doesn’t know who is supposed to win; it rewards the team who plays the game the best. I know it’s cliché, but it really is true. We have to stay grounded, stay focused and not get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to have quality at bats, which I think we did a really good job of today against Michigan,” Texas head coach Mike White said.
Five Texas players had multi-hit performances, including two home runs in a 3-for-3 effort from sophomore shortstop Katie Stewart. Junior catcher Reese Atwood and graduate first baseman Joley Mitchell both notched four RBI.
The offensive onslaught ignited early, after the Wolverines redshirt sophomore-catcher Lilly Vallimont knocked in an RBI at the bottom of the first. Stewart launched a solo home run in the second inning to tie the game. The momentum continued in the third, highlighted by Atwood’s three-run homer and Stewart’s second blast of the day, propelling Texas to a 5–1 lead.
At the end of the third, the Wolverines attempted to fire back with a two-run home run from sophomore center fielder Janisa Conway to close down the margin at the end of the third inning with Texas still holding the lead 5-3.
The fireworks continued in the fourth inning for the Longhorns, scoring nine runs on six hits. Mitchell’s grand slam to right field, along with home runs from junior left fielder Kaydee Bennett and junior second baseman Leighann Goode established a commanding 14–3 lead.
Michigan was able to tack on one more run in the button of the fourth from junior first baseman Maddie Ramey’s RBI, turning the score 14-4, but Texas added two more runs in the fifth with an Atwood sacrifice fly and an RBI double from Stewart, culminating in a 16-run showcase.
Sophomore right-hander Teagan Kavan earned her 22nd win of the season, striking out seven over 3.1 innings. Junior right-hander Citlaly Gutierrez and senior right-hander Sophia Simpson combined to hold Michigan scoreless in the final innings.
“Yeah, I think being able to win the first game helps give our pitching a little bit of a break rather than having to pitch two games in the sun. For us, as hitters, it also lets us lock into whoever we have to play and not worry about being tired, more so just going into tomorrow’s game against whoever we play and being able to give them our best effort,” Atwood said.
The dominant performance overshadowed the Wolverines and has positioned them as formidable contenders. Texas will face the winner of Saturday’s elimination game between Michigan and UCF at noon Central.
