Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Once again, Hannah Wells helped the Texas softball avoid being shut out, this time against Arizona State in a 4-1 loss Friday night to open the Austin Super Regional.
The freshman hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to tie Game 1 and it was the sixth game where she delivered the Longhorns’ only longball.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) hits a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas finished the night leaving four runners stranded, which could have been enough to squeak out a win if it had more than four hits on the night. By comparison, Arizona State had four runs on eight hits; infielder Tiare Ho-Ching and catcher Samantha Swan who had two each.
“They (Arizona State) hit throughout the lineup, which is what we didn’t do,” Texas head coach Mike White said.
ASU’s bottom three hitters reached base four time. The Longhorns bottom three reached just once.
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Texas now finds itself with its season on the line again and if it wants to punch its ticket to Oklahoma City for the third straight year, they’ll need some help outside of Wells.
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) hands the ball off to pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns and Arizona State take the field for the National Anthem ahead of the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White meets Arizona State head coach Megan Bartlett ahead of the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) steps up to bat during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White and associate head coach Kristen Zalenski watch from the dugout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) steps up to bat during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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The Texas Longhorns play Arizona State in the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) steps up to pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State outfielder Ashleigh Mejia (24) celebrates a hit for a double during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) hits a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrates a strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) slides to second during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) swings at a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State infielder Tiare Ho-Ching (18) celebrates a hit for a double during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) steps up to pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Alisa Sneed (9) catches a fly ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) tips the ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) steps up to pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) misses a ground ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) misses a ground ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) talks to pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) grabs a ground ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State head coach Megan Bartlett disputes a call with an official during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) falls on the floor after pitching the ball to second during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) swings at a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) high fives head coach Mike White after a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White talks to pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) misses a catch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) misses a catch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) grabs a ground ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) throws the ball to first during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) celebrates a strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) leaves the field during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State pitcher Kenzie Brown (10) and infielder Brooklyn Ulrich (49(+) celebrate a final strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Arizona State pitcher Kenzie Brown (10) celebrates a final strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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A change of pace from last weekend
The Longhorns saw production in last weekend’s regional from a range of players. Pinch hitter Vic Hunter hit an RBI double against Wagner and seven-and- eight-hole hitters Alyssa Sneed and Jaycie Nichols combined for five hits.
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On 32 hits, the Longhorns had 25 runs — eight of those hits were from home runs. The Longhorns were dangerous during regionals weekend because the offense was diverse, not reliant on one big swing.
Earlier in the week, catcher Reese Atwood said that both teams had momentum going into the weekend after dominant regional performances. But that momentum didn’t carry over into Game 1 for Texas.
Texas battled All-American right-hander Kenzie Brown in the circle who threw 10 strikeouts in seven innings. After a three-run inning from the Sun Devils, Texas looked like they were swinging out of desperation to bring runners in; a deviation from the usual game plan.
“They (Texas) know the pitches they want to hit, and we let her dictate what we swung at,” White said. “We didn’t make her bring the pitches into zones that we’d like to hit.”
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Arizona State pitcher Kenzie Brown (10) throws a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Texas at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Austin.
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Brown dominated with her changeup and Swan explained that she has two; one that drops and one that “kind of hangs” in the zone. The pitching from the Sun Devils’ ace is part of what stalled Texas’ offense.
“She spun the ball really well, mixed locations and speeds,” Wells said.
Feeling the pressure in the final two innings and down 4-1, White said that Texas might have done “too much” at the plate with runners on.
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“We pushed the issue,” White said. “I just think that we chased some pitches at the wrong time, in the wrong moment and made it easier for them than what it could have been if we’d been a little more patient.”
Arizona State adjusted to what Texas’ ace Teagan Kavan was throwing. Before being relieved for Citlaly Gutierrez, Kavan threw five strikeouts and gave up two earned runs of the four total from the Sun Devils.
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The Sun Devils didn’t hit a home run this game. They chipped away, moved runners and passed the bat to the next person to generate offense.
“We put a really high value on hitting — not swinging — in this program,” ASU head coach Megan Bartlett said.
Texas is fourth in the SEC in hits (505) and home runs (88). Outside of the monstrous offense that is Texas Tech, Arizona State is second in the Big 12 in hits with 540 and home runs with 98. But it’s not all about the long ball, the former Texas assistant said.
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“We’re not trying to get the ball to leave the yard. We’re trying to hit a low line drives up and down the lineup,” Bartlett said.
Game 2, like last season’s Austin Super Regional against Clemson, is do-or-die for Texas. To keep their season alive, and maybe the Longhorns have to take a page out of ASU’s book.