Texas Longhorn Softball have concludes on suspending two players after a 7-1 win over RV/NA Penn State due to…..
With just one out in the game, it was evident that Penn State intended to make a significant impact at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
Texas freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan, who had maintained a scoreless first inning in all eight of her starts, left a pitch over the plate that Penn State junior left fielder Maddie Gordon turned into a solo home run, giving the Nittany Lions an early 1-0 lead.
The momentum continued for Penn State as junior pitcher Mady Volpe began her day on the mound, allowing just one hit and no runs through the first three innings.
Texas was held scoreless through three innings for only the third time this season, necessitating a turnaround.
“For me, it was just about ‘calming down,'” head coach Mike White said. “We were getting too anxious and speeding the game up. You need to step back, take a breath, and slow the game down.”
In the fourth inning, the game pace slowed for No. 2 Texas, and their opponents’ momentum started to wane. Senior infielder Alyssa Washington hit a double down the left field line with runners on second and third, bringing senior third baseman Joley Mitchell and sophomore first baseman Leighann Goode home, giving the Longhorns the lead, which they maintained for the rest of the game.
“We faced some adversity with that home run that put us down 1-0,” White said. “We were a little baffled in the first couple of innings, but we stuck to our plans and made adjustments the second time through, and that was really exciting for us.”
Texas continued their offensive surge in the fourth inning, as freshman right fielder Vic Hunter singled, bringing home Washington and extending the Longhorns’ lead to two.
“For us to be ready, that’s the key,” White said. “Being Texas is enough, but being Texas and highly ranked, even more so. We have to be ready.”
Texas never looked back. In the fifth inning, freshman catcher Katie Stewart hit a solo home run to left field, and Washington hit her second RBI double of the game. Junior left fielder Mia Scott added a two-run homer in the sixth inning, extending the Longhorn lead to 7-1.
“I think it was (Washington) with her double that really got it going for us, and then we just got the momentum,” White said. “This game is about momentum.”
Kavan, who gave up the first-inning homer, bounced back and pitched a seven-inning complete game, her third of the year. Her ERA now stands at 1.15, leading the team in total innings pitched.
“She battled, you can’t faze her,” White said. “You wouldn’t know if she gave up a run or didn’t give up a run. Her ability to stay poised and in the moment, that’s what I like about her, and she came back and finished strong.”
Texas now stands at 18-1 for the season and will face UT-Arlington on Wednesday in Austin before starting Big-12 conference play against Houston at the Cougar Softball Stadium from March 8-10.
For standout player Katie Stewart, it’s about being ready for any challenge.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re one of the best teams in the country or someone trying to beat us in RPI,” Stewart said. “We’re just ready to play.”
