Softball falls to Oklahoma State, 6-1, in Stillwater Super Regional

STILLWATER, Okla. — The Texas softball team scored the game’s first run in Friday’s NCAA Stillwater Super Regional game against Oklahoma State. But the Longhorns were shut out for the next six innings, and fell by a score of 6-1 at Cowgirl Stadium.

The Longhorns’ loss means they must win Saturday’s game and a potential third game Sunday against OSU to earn a spot in the Women’s College World Series. A loss means UT’s season is done.

The Horns did hold a brief 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as designated player Taylor Ellsworth’s sacrifice bunt brought second baseman Janae Jefferson home. Jefferson, who entered the game hitting .443, led off the contest with a base hit to right field. She was responsible for two of the Horns’ five hits, going 2-for-3.

Texas starter Molly Jacobsen allowed just three hits and zero walks, but gave up four runs, all of which were scored on homers. The graduate transfer, who took the loss and fell to 14-6 this season, opened the game by striking out Oklahoma State shortstop Kiley Naomi on a 2-2 pitch, but hit center fielder Chyenne Factor two pitches later in the following at-bat. Factor was the first Cowgirl to score, crossing the plate from second on a two-run blast off the bat of first baseman Alysen Febrey, whose two-run homer gave Oklahoma State a 2-1 lead. The Cowgirls never looked back, tacking on four additional insurance runs later in the contest.

Oklahoma State added two more runs in the fourth. Febrey took Jacobsen’s first pitch of the inning over the right-center field wall for her second homer of the game. Right fielder Hayley Busby followed that by taking an 0-2 pitch deep to left field for a home run, stretching the OSU lead to 4-1.

Rhyleigh White came in to relieve Jacobsen, and, despite two doubles, prevented any further damage in the fourth. She did not allow a hit in the fifth, but the margin was again widened in the sixth when Oklahoma State second baseman Karli Petty swatted a one-out, two-run homer that sealed Oklahoma State’s victory.

White fired a total of three innings, allowing two runs and four hits, three of which went for extra bases. She did not walk a single batter.

Besides Jefferson, center fielder Shannon Rhodes, Ellsworth and pinch hitter Jordyn Whitaker each tallied a hit, none of which went for extra bases.

Saturday’s game starts at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.