After a close matchup against Texas A&M the day before, Texas softball prevailed once more against the Aggies in a 10-5 lead in Austin on Sunday.

Texas started off strong with four runs scored in the top of the first inning. The inning started when freshman shortstop and second baseman Leighann Goode was walked. Sophomore infielder Mia Scott then followed with a single and went to second by error, which also allowed Goode to score the first run of the game. Junior outfielder Bella Dayton was also walked, with junior first baseman Courtney Day following with a double, allowing Dayton and Scott to run home. Junior utility player Camille Corona ran for Day and was able to make a fourth and final run for Texas in the inning after two ground outs.

Texas A&M was forced to change pitchers two times in the top of the first inning alone to keep up with Texas’ offensive momentum. However, the Aggies were able to come up with one run in the bottom of the first inning, giving Texas a 4-1 lead.

Texas obtained two more runs in the second inning mainly because of Texas A&M pitching faults. Bases were loaded primarily due to walks and being hit with the pitch, which allowed Dayton and freshman shortstop and second baseman Viviana Martinez to score. Texas A&M scored their second run of the game in the second inning, making the early game score 6-2 in Texas’ favor.

There was an absence in scoring until the top of the fifth inning, when sophomore utility player Vanessa Quiroga singled, junior outfielder Alyssa Popelka followed with a single, Scott reached on an error, giving junior infielder Alyssa Washington, the pitch runner for Quiorga, a run. Dayton was then walked, creating another bases loaded situation for Texas. Day hit a double to left center and collected three RBI when Dayton, Scott and Popelka scored. Texas then held an impressive lead 10-2 against the Aggies.

Dayton finished off the matchup with four runs and one hit. Day had one run, two hits and five RBIs. Scott had two runs and one hit. Freshman catcher and first baseman Reese Atwood had two hits and one RBI.

Sophomore Mac Morgan pitched the first five innings for Texas with sophomore Sophia Simpson relieving Morgan for the final two innings. They collectively faced 33 batters with six strikeouts and an average ERA of 2.26.

Texas A&M tried to retaliate by scoring three more runs in the sixth inning, putting the score 10-5 and forcing the game to go on two more innings rather than stopping it at five. However, their efforts were no use when Texas scored an extra run in the seventh and finished the game off 11-5.

Texas will now advance to the NCAA Super Regionals starting on May 26, with details that have yet to be announced.