Texas softball, the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, opens the Austin Regional against heavy underdog Wagner. If the Longhorns handle Wagner, they will meet either Baylor or Wisconsin at noon Saturday.
Wagner (22-26) will make its NCAA Tournament debut after upsetting Central Connecticut 5-4 last weekend in the championship game of the Northeast Conference.
The No. 6 Longhorns (42-10) are also coming off a conference championship after claiming their first SEC crown Saturday with a 7-1 win over Alabama. Star pitcher Teagan Kavan delivered a heroic effort at the SEC Tournament by throwing 18⅔ innings, the most she’s thrown over a three-day span in her three-year collegiate career. But will she get some help in the circle against Wagner?
Follow below for live scores and updates Friday as the Texas Longhorns face the Wagner Seahawks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Seahawks do get an awkward bunt base hit, but they leave two on the bags. So far, they are creating some chances against Texas starter Citlaly Gutierrez.
Freshman Samantha Lotus (10-11, 3.18 ERA, 81 Ks and 32 walks in 140⅔ innings) gets the start for Wagner, and she gets touched for two hits in the first inning. After Kayden Henry singles and gets her 27th steal of the season, Vivi Martinez drives in Henry with a one-out double into deep left-center. But Lotus won her battles with Katie Stewart, Leighann Goode and Reese Atwood; that has to give the youngster some confidence.
Not the start Texas pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez wanted. Geanice Morales draws a leadoff walk and Lea Rachal steals a base, which isn’t easy against Texas catcher Reese Atwood. Payton Janicki then drives home Rachal home with a two-out double, and Wagner has an early lead over the defending national champions in its first NCAA appearance. The Seahawks are living the dream – at least for half an inning.
We’re off in East Austin, with Texas starter Citlaly Gutierrez looking to start fast against the underdog Seahawks.
After ace Teagan Kavan threw 18⅔ innings in three days at last weekend’s SEC Tournament, Texas coach Mike White will give her another day of rest and start senior Citlaly Gutierrez (8-3, 2.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) against Wagner. Gutierrez has enjoyed postseason softball at McCombs Field, whether wearing burnt orange or the blue and white from her hometown high school in tiny Stamford, Texas. This game marks the sixth straight year that Gutierrez has thrown a postseason game at McCombs Field.
Wisconsin beat Baylor 2-1 in a game that lasted nine innings in the first game of the Austin Regional, which means Texas’s game against Wagner will begin at 3:55 p.m. The winner of Texas vs Wagner will play Wisconsin Saturday at noon while the loser will face Baylor Saturday at approximately 3 p.m.
The opening game of the Austin Regional between Wisconsin and Baylor is headed to extra innings, which means the start of the Longhorns’ game against Wagner will be delayed. Wisconsin and Baylor entered the eighth inning tied at 1-1. Texas and Wagner will start 35 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Where: McCombs Field, Austin
TV/radio: ESPN+; texaslonghorns.com