Two years ago, Texas and Oklahoma faced off on college softball’s biggest stage. It was the national championship.
With arguably the biggest rivalry in the softball realm, it was the biggest stage in softball playing for the biggest prize, but it wasn’t much of a battle. Oklahoma embarrassed Texas, sweeping the series by a combined score of 26-6.
But that was two years ago. Texas and No. 1 Oklahoma will face off for the first time this year starting on Friday.
But something feels different this year for Longhorn softball. Maybe it’s the electric atmosphere that has ignited Red & Charline this season. Perhaps it’s the burning determination fueled by near misses and bitter losses of past Red River series. Maybe it’s the hunger born from years of watching its rivals hoist the trophy high, while the Longhorns stand on the sidelines. But something is different.
“(We want to) treat every opportunity as the big moment because that’s when you’re going to show up in those big moments,” junior Mac Morgan said. “And it’s exciting.”
Texas and Oklahoma are both dominating this season. The Sooners rank first in batting average and third in earned run average. The Longhorns are right behind as they rank second in batting average and fourth in earned run average.
“It’s going to be a dog fight for both of us and we’re all going to bring our stuff each game,” Morgan said.
Oklahoma has a staggering record of 34–1 to Texas’ 29–5, has six players hitting above .400 and eight players getting on base on over half their at-bats.
But the No. 4/5 Longhorns believe that they can compete.
“I think both teams are equally as talented,” sophomore slugger Reece Atwood said. “So it’s going to be ‘who can come up in the big moments, who can make the big plays.’”
As the stage is set for another chapter in this storied rivalry, the anticipation
crackles in the air like electricity. Texas, fueled by its own motivations and aspirations, stands ready to write its own destiny on the softball diamond.
“The team that executes and takes advantage of (the big moments) is the one who’s going to win,” head coach Mike White said.
The two programs will meet three times this weekend, April 5-7, and can very well meet again down the road.
