AUSTIN, Texas – Highlighted by junior RHP Teagan Kavan’s 12-strikeout gem, No. 3 Texas Softball (24-1) defeated the Ole Miss Rebels, 3-1, in Friday night’s series opener at McCombs Field.

Texas extended its win streak to 22-consecutive games – the second-longest streak in program history and longest since winning a program-record 24 games in a row in 2006. The Longhorns move to 24-1 overall, 4-0 in SEC play and 12-0 at home this season.

Kavan (10-0) commanded in the circle, twirling a 12-strikeout, four-hitter in 7.0 IP vs. Ole Miss. Kavan’s 12 strikeouts matched her season high set vs. Northern Illinois on Feb. 15. It was Kavan’s seventh complete game and fourth double-digit strikeout effort of the season. The West Des Moines, Iowa, product tossed five scoreless frames before surrendering a solo home run in the top of the sixth. Kavan has not allowed more than two runs in each of her last nine appearances. Texas played flawless defense on the night.

The Longhorns outhit Ole Miss at a 6-4 clip. Texas scored all three of its runs in the first two frames.  

Junior center fielder Kayden Henry paced Texas offensively with her 2-for-3, two-RBI performance. Henry stole second base twice, bringing her season total to 16. The Dickinson, Texas, native has eight multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI outings this season. Senior left fielder Kaiah Altmeyer was responsible for UT’s other run on her RBI single in the first inning. Junior shortstop Viviana Martinez, freshman third baseman Jaycie Nichols and freshman designated player Hannah Wells recorded a hit apiece with Wells’ being a double.

Texas got to business quickly in the bottom of the first. Henry began the game with a leadoff single to center field and then stole second base a few pitches later to put a runner in scoring position. Senior second baseman Leighann Goode then laid down a sacrifice bunt to third base to advance Henry to third base for Altmeyer. Altmeyer blooped a single down the left field line to score Henry for a 1-0 lead.

The Longhorns added two more runs in the second inning. Martinez roped a leadoff single up the middle and then advanced to second base on a groundout to short by Wells. With one out, Nichols singled up the middle and advanced to second base on the throw while Martinez went to third. With two away, Henry knocked a two-RBI single down the left field line to plate Martinez and Nichols for a 3-0 lead.

Ole Miss avoided the shutout after hitting a solo home run in the top of the sixth to cut UT’s lead to 3-1.

Up Next

Game two between Texas and Ole Miss is set for Noon CT Saturday, March 14, at McCombs Field. The game will stream on SEC Network+ with Andrew Haynes on the call.