No. 2 Texas softball took a break from conference play with a mid-week meeting against familiar foe No. 23 Oklahoma State. While the meeting in Stillwater was a break from the Southeastern Conference, it was not a break from tough competition.
A year ago, while still in the Big 12, Texas lost the conference series 2-1 to Oklahoma State. Today, Texas managed a narrow 1-0 victory.
After Friday’s 6-1 loss to LSU, Texas head coach Mike White mentioned potential changes to the Longhorns’ pitching rotation.
“We have to promote Citlaly (Gutierrez) to a starter and see how she does there,” White said. “It’s something we need to look at — moving her up in that starter role.”
Putting words into action, out came the junior pitcher to start the ballgame. In her seventh start of the season and her first since March 22 against the Auburn Tigers, Gutierrez managed three strikeouts, gave up just four hits through six innings of work and pitched a combined shutout victory.
Through the first four innings, the bats were quiet for both teams. Texas had managed to put together five hits, with its biggest scoring chance early in the first. Redshirt junior outfielder Ashton Maloney was able to make it to second base after a single with one out, but was stranded. In the third, a rip into right field allowed senior utility player Mia Scott to reach second base, but following up with a ground out, Texas once more stranded a runner in scoring position.
For the Cowgirls, getting runners in scoring position was just as hard. Through the four innings, they pieced together just two hits, neither reaching farther than first base.
The breakthrough for the Longhorns was found in sophomore outfielder Kayden Henry and Scott in the fifth inning. A bunt down the third base line allowed Henry to reach first base, and then Henry stole second base.
Stepping into the box with two outs, Scott hit a line drive up the middle and brought home Henry from second base for the lone score in the game. The go-ahead score for the Longhorns marked the 173rd career RBI for the senior.
In the sixth inning, Oklahoma State put multiple people on base for the first and only instance in the game. However, the Longhorns got out of the inning unscathed with a pop-out and a line-out.
A pitching change brought in sophomore pitcher Teagan Kavan to shut the door in the final inning. A strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play concluded the game for the Longhorns.
Texas continues a road trip throughout Oklahoma, driving to Norman next to face the ever-dangerous Oklahoma Sooners. As a repeat of last year’s Women’s College World Series, Texas begins the Red River Rivalry series on Friday with the game starting at 5 p.m.
