When No. 5 Texas softball went into the final two innings against No. 4 Florida in the first round of the Women’s College World Series, the team was only up by one run, creating a recipe for some late-inning drama.
The Longhorns, however, had other plans, shutting out the Gators 3–0 and advancing to the winners’ bracket of the tournament.
At the hands of graduate first baseman Joley Mitchell, Texas began to strike the final nail in Florida’s coffin. At the top of the sixth inning, Mitchell hit her second solo home run of the game, just barely clearing the center field wall.
“I just kind of threw my hands at it,” Mitchell said. “I knew that I was gonna put a lot of effort into it, so I just (trusted) myself to go in that direction … I trust myself on timing and just making sure that I’m going at her. It’s just me and the pitcher, so if I just make contact with the ball, I’m gonna do good things.”
The fans in burnt orange and white didn’t have much time to catch their breath as sophomore infielder Katie Stewart immediately blasted a solo homer to right field, building the lead to three runs.
After the back-to-back home runs, Florida’s ace pitcher, sophomore Keagan Rothrock, was immediately pulled out of the circle. The Texas batting did not let up the rest of the inning, as multiple hits, runners on base, and the threat of more runs forced the Gators to change pitchers twice.
“It felt really good,” Stewart said. “Honestly, just hitting it off really made me feel great, and to do it in front of our fans and my family, it was so great to feel.”
Texas’ defensive prowess was on full display throughout the game. The infield and outfield worked in harmony with sophomore star pitcher Teagan Kavan, achieving three three-and-out innings and multiple double plays.
Despite battling some inconsistency throughout the postseason, Kavan’s performance on opening day was a masterclass. She pitched all seven innings, allowing just two hits in her 25th win of the season. The Gators’ offense could not get the ball rolling against Kavan’s mix of speeds, her drop ball and her signature rise ball.
“She did such a great job working in and out and mixing the change in, so we needed her and she did that for us, she did a really good job out there,” Stewart said.
While Texas failed to capitalize on offensive momentum, the team had some breathing room thanks to the early lead by Mitchell and Kavan’s dominance.
“Sixteen of us have been here before and to play on this stage,” Stewart said. “With our lineup, (we) know that anybody can produce and not feel too much pressure in these moments.”
The win has earned the Longhorns a day off on Friday, and the team will face No. 2 Oklahoma on Saturday.
