{"id":307097,"date":"2026-05-24T16:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T16:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/307097\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T16:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T16:12:09","slug":"ncaa-softball-tournament-texas-longhorns-return-to-form-against-asu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/307097\/","title":{"rendered":"NCAA Softball Tournament: Texas Longhorns return to form against ASU"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nothing seemed to be going Texas softball<\/a>\u2019s way in Saturday night’s Game 2 of their super regional.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Arizona State\u2019s Brooklyn Ulrich\u2019s RBI double to left field bounced off the top of Kaiah Altmeyer\u2019s glove for the Sun Devils to take an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. In the top of the third, a fly ball from Arizona State\u2019s Kaylee Pond sailed over the head of right fielder\u00a0Ashton Maloney<\/a>, who misjudged her leadoff double.<\/p>\n

The Longhorns\u2019 troubles only continued in the third when a wild pitch from\u00a0Teagan Kavan<\/a> (23-5, 2.61 ERA) almost scored another run. Sun Devils catcher Samantha Swan\u2019s RBI single gave Arizona State a 2-0 lead a few pitches later.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) celebrates a score by designated player Victoria Hunter (12) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) catches the ball at the circle during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) slides home for a score during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns designated player Hannah Wells (13) celebrates a score by infielder Katie Stewart (20) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) stands in the outfield during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) catches a ball for an out during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) steps up to bat during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) steps to bat during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) hands the ball off to pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) swings at a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) leaves the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) talks to pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) reacts to a strikeout during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) celebrates a hit for a double during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Javcie Nichols (24) is tagged out at first during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) celebrates a hit for a double during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) is hit by a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) catches a fly ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) celebrates after getting hit by a pitch during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Javcie Nichols (24) watches a fly ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns designated player Victoria Hunter (12) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns designated player Victoria Hunter (12) runs home for a score during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns designated player Victoria Hunter (12) celebrates a home run during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

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 Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) celebrates a catch at first for an out by infielder Katie Stewart (20) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) celebrates a catch at first for an out by infielder Katie Stewart (20) during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) catches the ball at first for a final out in the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) celebrates a catch at first for a final out in the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (20) celebrates a catch at first for a final out in the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) celebrates winning game two of the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

But Texas\u2019 defense and bats punched back to force a crucial Game 3 after a 4-3 win Saturday night<\/a> at McCombs Field. Capped off with a two-run home run from pinch hitter Victoria Hunter, the Longhorns are one win away from a return trip to Oklahoma City after a night-and-day performance that saw contributions from everyone. After Texas didn’t look like its top form in Friday night’s loss, it returned in Game 2.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just never know what’s going to happen in these situations,\u201d head coach Mike White said.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Back to the drawing board<\/p>\n

In Game 1, the Longhorns only had four hits<\/a> and couldn\u2019t cross home plate after Hannah Wells\u2019 solo home run in the fourth inning. Texas improved for seven hits Saturday and the bottom of the order helped lead the comeback party after being contained the night before by ASU ace Kenzie Brown.<\/p>\n

Down 2-0, Altmeyer reached first on a fielding error in the fifth and scored on an RBI double from\u00a0Katie Stewart<\/a>. Reese Atwood followed it up with a two-run single up the middle as the Longhorns took the lead.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cJust getting that first runner on base is everything,\u201d Stewart said. \u201cI can be up there, be free to be able to do my job and get my best swings off \u2026 To see their energy on first base really just brings it back to me in the box.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer (44) catches a fly ball during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Arizona State’s Swan, who played at nearby Georgetown,\u00a0could have sucked the momentum out of McCombs, but Texas pitcher\u00a0Citlaly Gutierrez<\/a> (9-3, 2.16 ERA) was in control. The senior finished with six strikeouts through five innings after relieving Kavan in the third.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought about it last night that no matter what my role was going to be this game, whether starting or relieved, to leave it all out there,\u201d Gutierrez said.<\/p>\n

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But the Longhorns weren\u2019t done because Maloney\u2019s single was sandwiched between two outs from her teammates. Her energized \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d standing on first gave way to Hunter\u2019s homer.<\/p>\n

Texas clawed and stomped its way back because the Longhorns figured out how to hit against Brown (who came in for relief in the fifth inning) and the Longhorns were more patient at the plate, something that White said was an issue Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew Brown was in the bullpen \u2026 but we had moved the hard way to go against their ace, and we were able to kind of string some hits together,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) celebrates a third out during the NCAA Softball Championship Super Regional against Arizona State at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n

Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n

Even with the mistakes in the outfield and battles at the plate, Texas\u2019 experience showed in the final outs when Gutierrez retired six straight Sun Devils.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we’ve learned that over time that it’s going to happen, and I\u2019m just proud of our team and the maturity showed in those moments,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n

But fighting back to win in a super regional isn\u2019t unfamiliar for Texas.<\/p>\n

Last year, the Longhorns lost the first game of the 2025 super regional to Clemson and won the second 7-5 in extra innings<\/a>. The Longhorns had help from all parts of the order, but nine hole hitter Kaydee Bennet and leadoff Maloney swung for\u00a0RBIs that helped even the series.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Now, with all parts of the lineup clicking and doing its part, Texas again has to win a Game 3 for a third straight appearance in the Women\u2019s College World Series.<\/p>\n

Texas will play Arizona State for spot in Oklahoma City at 3:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nothing seemed to be going Texas softball\u2019s way in Saturday night’s Game 2 of their super regional. Arizona…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":307098,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[414,132,134,133,111192,46014,111193,81143,63519,105358,56161,537,28703],"class_list":["post-307097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-arizona-state-sun-devils","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-citlaly-gutierrez","tag-college-softball","tag-hannah-wells","tag-mccombs-field","tag-mike-white","tag-ncaa-softball-tournament","tag-teagan-kavan","tag-texas-longhorns","tag-texas-longhorns-softball"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307097","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=307097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307097\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/307098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=307097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=307097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=307097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}