Austin, TX

Replay: Texas softball trounces Florida, goes 2-0 in Women’s College World Series

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

Replay: Texas softball trounces Florida, goes 2-0 in Women’s College World Series

After opening the Women’s College World Series with a 4-0 win over Stanford, No. 1 Texas rolled to a second straight shutout win by blasting Florida 10-0 Saturday in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule at Oklahoma City’s Devon Park. Like freshman Teagan Kavan did against Stanford, Texas starter Mac Morgan threw a one-hitter against Florida. Texas (54-8), now 2-0 in the WCWS, needs one more win to reach the best-of-three championship series while No. 4 Florida (52-14) will try and stay alive against Alabama Sunday.

More: Texas softball vs. Florida: A preview, prediction for Women’s College World Series game

Final: Texas 10, Florida 0

In Texas’ biggest win ever in a Women’s College World Series game, the Longhorns got three home runs from its power-packed lineup and a one-hitter from starting pitcher Mac Morgan. The Longhorns look every bit the No. 1 team in the nation. Up next on Monday? Either UCLA or Stanford. – Thomas Jones

End 4: Texas 10, Florida 0

Absolute dominance by Texas, which is three outs from the win. Freshman Teagan Kavan threw a one-hitter in the WCWS opener on Thursday in a 4-0 win over Stanford. Can Mac Morgan do her one better? – Thomas Jones

Bottom 4: Texas 10, Florida 0

Texas freshman Katie Stewart shows off her raw power with a massive 3-run home run and Texas now has its most runs ever in a Women’s College World Series game. With the 8-run mercy rule looming, the Longhorns are three outs away from going 2-0 and moving within one more win of the championship series. Oh, and they’re ensured of staying on the opposite side of the Oklahoma bracket with a win. If we get OU vs. Texas, it will be in the championship series, as the laws of nature intended. – Thomas Jones

Bottom 4: Texas 6, Florida 0

Texas third baseman Mia Scott launches a solo home run, her 11th of the season and her third of the postseason. You saw the play at third the previous inning, you see the bat, you see the three All-Big 12 selections. So why didn’t she get a spot on one of the three All-American teams from the NFCA, which also had six at-large spots on each team? – Thomas Jones

Middle 4: Texas 5, Florida 0

That’s why they call it the hot corner. Texas third baseman Mia Scott snags a shot that was about 80 mph off the bat of Skylar Wallace, and that followed a nice play by second baseman Alyssa Washington covering first. The Gators do get their first base-runner against Texas pitcher Mac Morgan but still don’t have a hit. – Thomas Jones

End 3: Texas 5, Florida 0

Texas didn’t score that frame after leaving the bags loaded, but the Longhorns have scored five runs or more in an inning on 29 occasions this year, just like they did in the first. That’s helped the Horns play freely tonight. — Kirk Bohls

More: Texas softball remains loose, confident and dino-mite | Bohls

Middle 3: Texas 5, Florida 0

Texas starter Mac Morgan just in a dominant mode right now. She’s one of the most intense women athletes I’ve been around at Texas. And she’s getting superb defense behind her. — Kirk Bohls

Middle 3: Texas 5, Florida 0

Mac Morgan, who’s been rock-solid this entire postseason for Texas, matches her season-high with five strikeouts and has yet to allow a base-runner. She threw a no-hitter in the NCAA opener against Siena, but it’s too early to blog such things, right? And blogs are immune from jinxes, right? – Thomas Jones

More: Texas shortstop Viviana Martinez played for USA Softball, and it helped journey to WCWS

End 2: Texas 5, Florida 0

Florida’s Ava Brown, who came in for starter Keagan Rothrock during a disastrous first inning, retires the Texas side in order. OK, Brown has settled in for the Gators. Now, those bats need to do the same against Texas pitcher Mac Morgan. – Thomas Jones

Middle 2: Texas 5, Florida 0

Texas pitcher Mac Morgan is throwing those dropballs with some heat today and already has four strikeouts, which is just one shy of her season-high. A dandy, diving play by right-fielder Ashton Maloney also helped that inning. Six up, six down for the Gators. – Thomas Jones

Top 2: Texas 5, Florida 0

I really felt like Texas was uptight against Texas A&M and played tight in the super regional because all the pressure was on it. But they look loose and confident in this WCWS. — Kirk Bohls

End 1: Texas 5, Florida 0

Alyssa Washington greets new Florida pitcher Ava Brown with a moonshot into centerfield! That homer gives the Longhorns three more runs, and the Texas bats are certainly glad to have Stanford’s NiJaree Canady in the rearview mirror; the Horns beat Stanford 4-0 in the first game of the Women’s College World Series . – Thomas Jones

Bottom 1: Texas 2, Florida 0

Freshman Katie Stewart comes in and doubles to the wall to score Vivi Martinez, and that’s an early exit for Florida ace Keagan Rothrock. Wow, the Longhorn bats are smoking early, and there’s still two on with just one out. Ava Brown is now in the circle for Florida, moving over from first base. – Thomas Jones

Bottom 1: Texas 1, Florida 0,

The Longhorns open with a bang. Outfielder Bella Dayton hits leadoff for the second straight game and bangs a long single to the wall, reaches second on a sac bunt from Mia Scott, then scores on an RBI single by Vivi Martinez. That’s how Texas coach Mike White would draw it up, eh? – Thomas Jones

Middle 1: Florida 0, Texas 0

Texas is the designated home team, so Texas pitcher Mac Morgan gets her first crack at a Gator offense fourth in the nation in runs per game. Morgan gets 90% of her outs on groundballs, so of course the drop-ball pitcher gets a pop out and two strikeouts. Three up, three down. Now time for Texas. – Thomas Jones

Mac Morgan gets start for Texas

After throwing in all three games during Texas’ series win over Texas A&M in last week’s super regionals, junior pitcher Mac Morgan will get the start against Florida. Morgan, 15-1 on the season, boasts a 1.99 ERA with just 38 strikeouts and 22 walks. She’s a contact hitter that forces lots of ground balls, so expect a busy day for third baseman Mia Scott, shortstop Vivi Martinez and second baseman Alyssa Washington. In 13.1 innings last week against the Aggies, Morgan gave up 11 hits and five runs. Florida will counter with freshman phenom Keagan Rothrock, who’s among the nation’s leaders in wins, complete-games and innings pitched. – Thomas Jones

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Austin, TX

Texas’ Gorgeous State Park Northwest Of Austin Is A Rustic Haven With Caves And A Stunning Waterfall – Islands

Published

4 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Texas’ Gorgeous State Park Northwest Of Austin Is A Rustic Haven With Caves And A Stunning Waterfall – Islands

Billy McDonald/Shutterstock

The landscapes around Austin are a natural wonderland for outdoor adventures, from diving into pristine swimming holes to kayaking on the beautiful lakes of the Texas Hill Country. But one destination northwest of the city is a particularly gorgeous escape. Colorado Bend State Park, about two hours away by car, is home to ethereal caves and a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall.

The 5,300-acre park has 35 miles of hiking trails, including one that leads to the park’s most famous feature, Gorman Falls. The rugged 3-mile round-trip hike is considered moderately challenging to difficult, with steep, rocky sections, slippery areas, and little shade from the sun. The trek is worth it for the chance to view the cascades, towering high above the river and fed by a mineral-rich spring. “The falls were beautiful, natural, and peaceful!” said one hiker on AllTrails. If you’re interested in other nearby adventures, be sure to check out all the breathtaking waterfall destinations tourists can find in Austin.

Sometimes the water at Gorman Falls is rushing, and other times the waterfalls are quieter, according to traveler reviews. “This is a beautiful trickling fall that is right out of a storybook about fairies,” said one review on Google. Many agreed that the hike itself isn’t easy. “Very rocky and challenging but worth the effort,” commented another. Several people mentioned that the trail may not be appropriate for beginners, kids, or dogs, that it gets very busy on weekends, and that it’s important to bring more water than you think you’ll need.

Plan an escape to Colorado Bend State Park

Gorman Falls Trail and the Colorado River at Colorado Bend State Park

David Wayne Radzieta/Shutterstock

Another of the park’s key attractions is its system of underground caves, which visitors can explore on a guided tour with Nichols Outdoor Adventures. The intermediate-level Adventure Tour ($25 per person), billed as “an introduction to what Texas caving is all about,” is a 1.5-hour excursion that takes participants deep underground to crawl through cavernous passageways. “It was a fabulous experience,” said one recent guest on TripAdvisor. “[The guide] did a great job of explaining the topography, how the caves were formed, and answering any and all questions throughout the tour.” The activity is only for travelers ages 8 and up, and though long pants, headlamps, and closed-toe shoes are required, helmets and knee pads are provided. You can book your tour online.

Whether you’re touring the caves or hiking to waterfalls, you’ll need to pay a day-use fee ($5 per person) to access Colorado Bend State Park. It’s smart to reserve your pass online, since the park has a limited capacity and often fills up. If you’re hoping to camp in the park, you’ll want to make arrangements even further in advance. Simple campsites (without hookups) start at $10 per night, while larger group sites start at around $35.

Colorado Bend State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Austin’s international airport. If you love Colorado Bend, consider a detour to the secluded Inks Lake State Park, an idyllic getaway with shady trails and peaceful waters.

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Austin, TX

Sunday storms expected in Austin. Here’s how long rough weather could last.

Published

16 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Sunday storms expected in Austin. Here’s how long rough weather could last.

While we saw severe weather across parts of the state on Saturday, the bulk of the action happened in North Texas but don’t let your guard down yet. That system will influence our weather in Central Texas throughout much of next week, bringing daily chances for rain and thunderstorms.

Saturday’s cold front has stalled across South Texas, and the next weather feature to watch is a closed system of low atmospheric pressure lingering near the Baja California coast. That system will send several atmospheric disturbances into Texas that will keep rain chances high across the region.

Overcast skies, spotty showers, light north winds, and cooler temperatures will welcome us Sunday morning. Temperatures will be in the middle and upper 50s through mid-morning and then climb about 10 to 15 degrees by the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will remain closer to climatological normals for early March, in the upper 60s and low 70s.

While we do expect to see some thunderstorms across the region at times on Sunday, severe weather is not on the menu. Rain chances are about 50% with rainfall totals between a half-inch to an inch.

The comfortable temperatures and north winds will not hang around long once low pressure develops to our north and opens the door to winds from a more southerly direction by Monday. We’ll have a small rain chance, about 30% to 40%, on Monday with a few afternoon thunderstorms possible. Temperatures will be warm, though, with the morning near 60s degrees and the afternoon reaching the low 80s.

Rain chances look to ramp up again from Tuesday through Thursday with the potential for some strong and severe thunderstorms.

“For now, it looks like late Tuesday into Wednesday will be favored as a closed low (pressure system) moves across West Texas into Central Texas,” the National Weather Service wrote in a forecast bulletin. “We will likely see some changes in the path of this upper low, but the current latitude looks favorable for a line of convection (storm activity) along a Pacific cold front to accompany the passage of this system.”

“The latest guidance shows a 60 to 90% chance of at least 1 inch of rain for most of our area with a 40 to 60% chance of at least 2 inches for areas north of I-10,” the weather service said. “There is a potential for multiple inches across some areas.”

Once this storm heads east by Thursday afternoon, cooler and drier weather will filter in with temperatures closer to our March normals of 50 degrees and 71 degrees.

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Austin, TX

Austin weather: Cold front, storm risk to roll in mid-afternoon

Published

1 day ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Austin weather: Cold front, storm risk to roll in mid-afternoon

AUSTIN, Texas – It’s cold front day and storm day! The front is slowing down and not entering Central Texas until the afternoon during the warmest part of the day.

Austin weather risk

This will make the atmosphere unstable and more likely to generate isolated severe storms. The main concern will be with 1 to 2″ diameter hail.

Also a high risk of lightning and moderate chance of heavy rain with the highest flood threat staying in East Texas. Damaging wind and tornado risk remains very low. The first round of storms will happen by early to mid afternoon.

Risk for Saturday night

The second round will occur late tonight and into early Sunday. For now, a half to one inch of rain is likely for much of the area, with isolated spots getting over an inch.