The Texas Softball team dropped a three-game series to No. 16/12 Oklahoma, last year’s Big 12 and National Champions, this past weekend 1-2. Despite an impressive 9-0 run-rule performance in game two to even the series, the Longhorns were not able to hold the Sooners who cruised to a 8-0 five-inning victory during the rubber match on Saturday afternoon.
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With the series loss, the Longhorns feel to 27-18 on the season and 7-3 in Big 12 conference play. The Sooners improved to 34-19 and 11-2 in the Big 12 and remain in first place in conference standings.
On Friday afternoon, the Longhorns dropped game one 4-1 on the road in Norman, Oklahoma. Senior catcher Mandy Ogle scored the Longhorns’ only run, a solo home run in the third inning. Freshman Tiarra Davis starting in the circle for the Longhorns and earned her first loss in conference play. The loss marked Davis’s 16th completed game of the season.
Oklahoma nabbed the victory with two home runs towards the end of the game. The Oklahoma pitching staff held the Longhorns to three-hits, matching a season low for the Texas offense.
On Friday evening, the Longhorns turned around and defeated the Sooners 9-0 in a six-inning, run-rule effort. It was the Sooners’ first run-ruled loss in the past five years. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 15-6 in 2009 for the Sooners’ last run-ruled loss.
Senior Taylor Thom led the Texas offense at the plate, going 3-for-3 with one home run. Thom included three runs scored to her performance. Sophomore Lindsey Stephens extended her on-base streak to 45-games with her 14th home run of the season in the sixth inning, good for first in the Big 12.
Davis started in the circle for the Longhorns in game two, tossing another complete game as well as her third complete game shutout of the season. Davis finished the game with four walks and four hits and one strikout.
The Longhorns and Sooners returned to Marita Hynes Stadium for the rubber match on Saturday afternoon, but the Longhorns were held scoreless in the shortened third game. Texas dropped game three 8-0 in five innings.
In the circle, Davis earned the loss for the Longhorns, falling to 14-9 on the season and 6-2 in the Big 12. In the second inning, Davis was relieved by freshman Lauren Slatten after Davis allowed four runs off six hits. Junior Gabby Smith took over in the fourth and allowed only one run, though it was credited to Slatten.
On offense, the Longhorns were held to only three hits, matching a season low. It was the first time all season that the Longhorns were held scoreless. At the plate, Ogle led the Texas offense, going 2-for-2 with a double and single. Stephens also finished with a single in the first inning, extending her on-base streak to 46 games. The Sooners wasted little time in taking control of the game. In the bottom of the first, Oklahoma knocked in four runs forcing the Longhorns to play catch-up for the rest of the game.
The Longhorns will head next to San Marcos to face Texas State on Wednesday night at 6 pm. Texas will then return home to face Oklahoma State in a three game series starting on April 25th.
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