<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with her team after beating the Texas Longhorns 5-0 at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns starting pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) warms up to pitch the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) catches the ball as first to get Texas Longhorns utility Reese Atwood (14) out in the seventh inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The sun sets behind McCombs field in the fourth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
A member of the Oklahoma State softball staff holds her hands behind her back during the National Anthem as the Cowgirls prepare to take on the Texas Longhorns at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) bats in the third inning in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Fans hope for a t-shirt thrown their way before the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls Madison Hoffman (8) celebrates as she rounds third after hitting her first home run of the season in the seventh inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Tia Warsop (9) catches a ball in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) catches the ball at first base to get Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) out in the second inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls Madison Hoffman (8) celebrates as she approaches home after hitting her first home run of the season in the seventh inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns starting pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) warms up to pitch the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Teammates welcome Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Rosie Davis (26) home after hitting a home run in the sixth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns Hannah Wells (13) bats in the second inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) catches a hit in the seventh inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) takes off for first while as her hit is scooped up in the fourth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns utility Katie Stewart (20) bats in the fourth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcherRuby Meylan (66) pitches in the seventh inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns Hannah Wells (13) bats in the fifth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with her team after beating the Texas Longhorns 5-0 at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) throws to first base in the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with her team after beating the Texas Longhorns 5-0 at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with her team after beating the Texas Longhorns 5-0 at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) bats in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White coaches in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) catches the ball at first to get Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) out in the fourth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns utility Katie Stewart (20) bats in the fourth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) warms up to pitch the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Tia Warsop (9) catches a foul ball in the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) catches the ball at first base in the third inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Alisa Sneed (9) runs for first base in the fifth inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n
Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
When it comes to handling defeats, Texas softball<\/a> coach Mike White<\/a> likes to say that there are no losses, only lessons.<\/p>\n If that\u2019s the case following Wednesday\u2019s 5-0 nonconference setback to No. 18 Oklahoma State<\/a> at McCombs Field, at least White learned something about his pitching rotation after Citlaly Gutierrez<\/a> impressed before wearing down late in the game.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s actually proven that she’s No. 2 on the staff,\u201d White said. \u201cIt\u2019s pleasing to see, and I\u2019ve been waiting for somebody to grab that.\u201d<\/p>\n White has spent all season seeking a reliable No. 2 behind ace Teagan Kavan<\/a>, who has 20 starts. Freshman Hannah Wells<\/a> has flashed potential while starting eight games and sophomore Cambria Salmon started seven games before falling out of the rotation.<\/p>\n Texas Longhorns starting pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) pitches in the second inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Gutierrez started her sixth game against Oklahoma State and didn\u2019t allow a run until the final two innings, when the Cowgirls connected on a pair of home runs. She also avoided allowing any walks while throwing only 95 pitches in the complete game, metrics White likes to see from his starters.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cCitlaly pitched well enough to win,\u201d White said. \u201cWe just didn’t give her any offensive support. I was really impressed with the way she pitched. I thought that her stuff was really moving. She was using all the pitches, just, unfortunately, we didn’t help her.\u201d<\/p>\n Based on White\u2019s comments, Gutierrez seems in line to get the start in Game 2 of this weekend\u2019s SEC series at Kentucky. For the season, she ranks second on the staff with a 2.46 ERA behind Salmon and issues one walk every 3\u2154 innings, the lowest rate on the squad.<\/p>\n NO. 7 TEXAS VS. KENTUCKY<\/p>\n When\/where:\u00a05 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday in Lexington, Ky.<\/p>\n TV:\u00a0SEC Network on Friday, SEC Network+ on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n MORE: How ‘Smash Sisters’ Reese Atwood, Katie Stewart super-charge Texas softball<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n MORE: Back healthy, shortstop Viviana Martinez happy to again be helping UT<\/a><\/p>\n Texas needs production from bottom of lineup<\/p>\n But it doesn\u2019t matter who\u2019s pitching if No. 7 Texas<\/a> can’t generate runs, and that\u2019s the biggest concern for White entering the final two series of the regular season against Kentucky and Arkansas. The Longhorns managed a season-low two hits against Oklahoma State ace Ruby Meylin and have now been shut out in two of their past seven games. Prior to a 3-0 home loss to Oklahoma on April 10, Texas hadn\u2019t been shut out since a 3-0 loss to Oklahoma State in late March 2024.<\/p>\n White didn\u2019t call out specific players, but he did say that the Longhorns must get more production from the bottom of the order. Over the past seven games, the regular top five in the order of Kayden Henry, Katie Stewart<\/a>, Reese Atwood, Vivi Martinez<\/a> and Leighann Goode have combined to hit .345 with 18 RBIs. In that same span, the bottom four spots in the order have hit .220 with six RBIs. Take away Wells\u2019 propensity for power, and that bottom half of the lineup doesn\u2019t have a single RBI in the last seven games.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas Longhorns utility Reese Atwood (14) waits for her turn to bat in the first inning as the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at McCombs Field in Austin, April 22, 2026.<\/p>\n Sara Diggins\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n \u201cWe just need some of these players that are there in (the bottom of the lineup) to just kind of give me a little more intensity, a little more, like, \u2018I want the spot\u2019 and grab it,\u201d White said. \u201cThat’s what we’re waiting for a little bit. Obviously, we can’t just keep going to the well and putting the same people that do the damage all the time. We’re reliant on them.\u201d<\/p>\n But what can White and his staff do at this point so late in the season? After amassing just two hits against Oklahoma State, White said his team needs to \u201cdo some investigating themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did everything we need to do,\u201d he said, referring to his staff. \u201cWe scout everything else, but we’re just not following through on those plans in a lot of cases. It looks that way to me. We had some pretty poor at-bats throughout the game, and we’ve got to be better at that.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas (35-8, 12-6 SEC) vs. Kentucky\u00a0 (26-25, 1-20): How to watch<\/p>\n Where:\u00a0John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Ky<\/p>\n Schedule:\u00a0Game 1 at 5 p.m. Friday; Game 2 at 1 p.m.\u00a0Saturday; Game 3 at noon Sunday<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n TV\/radio:\u00a0Game 1 SEC Network; Game 2 and 3 SEC Network+; texaslonghorns.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Oklahoma State Cowgirls starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with her team after beating the Texas Longhorns 5-0…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":264279,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,46014,63519,61479,56161,537,28703],"class_list":{"0":"post-264278","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-austin","8":"tag-austin","9":"tag-austin-headlines","10":"tag-austin-news","11":"tag-college-softball","12":"tag-mike-white","13":"tag-sec-softball","14":"tag-teagan-kavan","15":"tag-texas-longhorns","16":"tag-texas-longhorns-softball"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=264278"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264278\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/264279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=264278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=264278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=264278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
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