Although No. 1 Texas softball and No. 11/8 Texas Tech went to a thrilling two extra innings on Friday, the Longhorns’ offensive prowess dominated the Red Raiders in the teams’ second matchup of the weekend in an 11–0 victory in five innings.
Texas Tech played three different pitchers, but not star junior pitcher NiJaree Canady, who held the Longhorns to only two runs on Friday. No one was able to stop the Longhorns’ hitting power and ability to be particular in the pitches they swung at.
“It is what it is,” head coach Mike White said. “We have to just focus on how we are playing softball. Obviously, we didn’t feel like yesterday was our best day as far as following the process and having good at-bats. Today was much better. We made (Texas Tech’s) pitchers throw strikes, and we capitalized on some pitches.”
Sophomore catcher and infielder Katie Stewart was a standout, with five RBIs and two runs. Stewart delivered a clutch hit to the left side of the field, allowing sophomore outfielder Kayden Henry to score Texas’ first run of the game in the bottom of the first. What followed was an explosive three-run homer at the bottom of the third, which saw Stewart, junior catcher Reese Atwood and senior utility Mia Scott score.
The bottom of the third felt endless, as Texas extended its lead from four to 10 runs.In addition to Stewart’s homer, junior utility Kaydee Bennett scored junior utility Leighann Goode an unearned run via a perfectly placed hit right between third base and shortstop. Junior outfielder Ashton Maloney then helped extend the lead to nine through a hit up the center field.
In normal fashion, Atwood had one RBI and scored three runs, including a powerful solo homer in the bottom of the fourth that almost smashed the window of a car parked on the street. Atwood is fifth in all-time homers in program history with 37.
Sophomore star pitcher Teagan Kavan continued to shine. She won the pitching battle and executed five strikeouts, two of which were at moments when her back was up against the wall. With bases loaded and two outs on two separate occasions, Kavan kept her composure and struck out each batter before Tech could shave down the deficit.
“It was a solid performance, obviously,” White said. “The key was the first inning by getting out of that trouble after a couple of infield hits there, but Teagan (Kavan) was able to get out of it.”
Junior pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez took over from Kavan in the final inning, securing Texas its 14th straight win against the Red Raiders, striking out Canady.
Texas will travel to Tucson, AZ next weekend to compete in the Hillenbrand Invitational tournament against No. 20/22 Stanford, Colorado State, UC Davis and No. 15 Arizona.
