Austin, TX

Live: No. 1 Texas softball faces Texas A&M in Game 2 of NCAA Tournament super regional

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2024

Live: No. 1 Texas softball faces Texas A&M in Game 2 of NCAA Tournament super regional

Texas A&M survived a wild opening to its super regional against Texas on Friday, winning 6-5 in the first game of the best-of-three series. Texas A&M (44-13), the No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, will try to qualify for the Women’s College World Series by eliminating the No. 1 Longhorns (50-8) in the second game at 4 p.m. today at McCombs Field.

More: As expected, Texas and Texas A&M softball delivers big hits, drama and fireworks | Bohls

Can Texas stay alive on a blistering afternoon on its home turf? Follow along with the Statesman.

Middle 9: Texas 9, Texas A&M 8

Texas uses some small ball and speed to grab the one-run lead. Now, the season depends on the ballyhooed pitching staff. Looks like Texas coach Mike White will stick with Mac Morgan, who has yet to allow a base-runner in 1.1 innings.

Top 9: Texas 9, Texas A&M 8

Texas freshman Kayden Henry legs out an infield single, steals second, reaches third on a infield out by Bella Dayton and scores on a fielder’s choice by Ashton Maloney The throw home is errant but the speedy Henry would have scored anyway.

End 8: Texas 8, Texas A&M 8

No problems for Texas pitcher Mac Morgan, the third Longhorn to take the circle today. She doesn’t allow a base-runner and we go to the ninth. What’s at stake? Nothing less than a Women’s College World Series berth and arguably the best season in Texas history – excluding previous appearances in the WCWS, of course.

Middle 8: Texas 8, Texas A&M 8

The Longhorns leave two on against Texas A&M’s Emiley Kennedy. The last out by Joley Mitchell had warning-track power. The great Robert Cessna of the Bryan-College Station Eagle says Kennedy has thrown 233 pitches over the past two games. Unbelievable effort in this heat.

End 7: Texas 8, Texas A&M 8

Extra innings seems fitting for this series between No. 1 Texas and No. 16 Texas A&M, right? Both teams seem stunned after Aggie freshman Mya Perez tied the game with a 2-out, 3-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. Texas A&M ace Emiley Kennedy remains in the game; let’s see how Texas bounces back.

Bottom 7: Texas 8, Texas A&M 8

Texas A&M freshman Mya Perez just launched a 2-out, 3-run home run into the centerfield bleachers and we are suddenly tied and the crowd at McCombs Field is stunned. Mac Morgan is in the game to stop the bleeding and force extra innings.

Middle 7: Texas 8, Texas A&M 5

Bella Dayton blasts a 2-run homer into center field to give Texas pitcher Estelle Czech some breathing room, and the Longhorns are three outs away from a wild comeback and a game three against Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament’s super regionals on Sunday.

Middle 6: Texas 6, Texas A&M 5

An epic inning for Texas included an overturned call at home plate and RBI hits from Mia Scott, Vivi Martinez and Reese Atwood. Oh, and a stoppage in play because of an issue with the padded wall, some trash on the field, or perhaps both. Five runs, four hits and two errors from the Aggies. Wow. Does this series have even more late-game drama in it?

Top 6: Texas 6, Texas A&M 5

More drama in the sixth. Freshman Kayden Henry races home on a grounder from pinch hitter Vic Hunter and is called out on a tight play at the plate. But the sixth inning means an automatic replay, and the umpires overturn the call because of catcher impediment. Henry is safe, the Horns have two on with one out, and here comes Aggie pitcher Emiley Kennedy back in the game to try and finish what she started. Softball, folks; you can do that. Mia Scott greets Kennedy with an RBI single into center that scores Ashton Maloney, and Vivi Martinez follows with a 2-RBI shot. Once again, the Texas bats have heated up late in the game. Oh my.

And you remember that wardrobe malfunction years ago? We have a wall-pad malfunction, apparently. Play has stopped, players are off the field, workers are looking at the outfield wall like I do my car engine when I hear some strange knocking, and we’re in a delay.

The UT worker pulls out some duct tape, and we’re ready to play ball again. One on, one out for Reese Atwood, who promptly gives Texas the lead with a bloop single into left field.

End 5: Texas A&M 5, Texas 1

This feels familiar for anxious Texas fans, whose team trailed 6-0 on Friday after five innings. Texas rallied for five runs in the final two frames yesterday, so four runs is light work, right? Texas A&M will come back with spinballer Brooke Vestal this frame. It doesn’t need to be said, but No. 1 Texas has six outs to save its season against No. 16 Texas A&M and force a third and decisive game on Sunday.

Bottom 5: Texas A&M 5, Texas 1

Texas A&M’s Trinity Cannon loves her some McCombs Field. She played here at state for Forney High School and she just launched her third home run of this series series. This 2-run shot off Texas starter Teagan Kavan has the Longhorns on the ropes. That one screamed over the left-field wall. That’s all for Kavan, who gave up six hits and five runs in 5.1 innings. Senior Estelle Czech is now warming up for Texas.

Middle 5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 1

A brilliant play by Aggie shortstop Koko Wooley, who turns a double play to end a promising inning. But the Texas dugout isn’t happy, since replay shows Katie Stewart appeared safe at first. But Texas is out of challenges and the tension mounts for the No. 1 Longhorns, who are six outs from elimination.

Top 5: Texas A&M 3, Texas 1

Concerning how Aggie coach Trisha Ford will use her bullpen? We have our answer. Brooke Vestal, who has a nasty spinball, comes in for Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy to face Katie Stewart. There’s one on and no outs for Texas after Kennedy plunked Reese Atwood.

End 4: Texas A&M 3, Texas 1

Three up, three down for the first time since the first inning for Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan, who has settled into this game. Now it’s about the Longhorn bats against Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy – and it’s about how Aggie coach Trisha Ford will use her bullpen considering Kennedy has now thrown 11 innings in blistering heat over the past 24 hours.

Middle 4: Texas A&M 3, Texas 1

The Longhorns finally get on the board against Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy with a solo shot by Joley Mitchell, but Texas coach Mike White thinks it should be more. He signaled Bella Dayton to round third and go home on a shot into center field by Mia Scott, but Dayton holds at third as the throw to home goes wide. Vivi Martinez flies out for the third out in the next at-bat, and White gives Dayton an earful.

Top 4: Texas A&M 3, Texas 1

The Longhorns finally get to Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy. Leadoff hitter Joley Mitchell, the transfer from Notre Dame, launches a full-count homer over the left-field wall and screams in joy while rounding the bags. The other Longhorn hitters hope that stuff is contagious.

End 3: Texas A&M 3, Texas 0

A big challenge by Texas coach Mike White overturns a call and helps keep Texas within three runs. Trinity Cannon was originally called safe at second after a toss from third baseman Mia Scott, but replay calls her out by an inch. The Aggies end up stranding two. Huge escape by the Longhorns and starter Teagan Kavan, who has given up four hits, two walks and hit a batter in three innings.

Middle 3: Texas A&M 3, Texas 0

The first big mistake by the Aggies all series, but they survive the error. Second baseman Rylen Wiggins has a chance to turn a double-play that would have ended the inning but short-arms the throw to second into left field. Vivi Martinez is safe and Reese Atwood follows with a single to load the bases, but Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy fans Katie Stewart and gets Alyssa Washington to hit into a weak grounder. That inning could haunt Texas coach Mike White if the Horns don’t rally.

End 2: Texas A&M 3, Texas 0

A 2-run home run from centerfielder Jazmine Hill gives the Aggies the early lead, and the pressure begins to ratchet up on the No. 1 Longhorns, who will be eliminated from the NCAA Tournament with a loss. A 2-out RBI single by Kennedy Powell adds to the lead. Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan gave up three hits and two walks as well as a hit batter that frame, and only a nice throw by catcher Reese Atwood that caught Rylin Wiggins stealing helps keep it a three-run game. How long will Texas coach Mike White stick with Kavan?

Bottom 2: Texas A&M 2, Texas 0

Small ball? Not these Aggies. After Julia Cottrell draws a leadoff walk, Texas A&M coach Trisha Ford bypasses any thought of bunting her to second and Jazmine Hill launches a homer over the left-center wall. That’s the third Aggie homer of the series.

More: Texas and Texas A&M softball coaches were ejected Friday. Are they available for game two?

Middle 2: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0

Alyssa Washington draws a leadoff walk against Texas A&M starter Emiley Kennedy, but the Longhorns can’t make it count. They’ve now stranded three runners through the first two innings. A one-out, pop-out bunt attempt by freshman outfielder Kayden Henry really hurt Texas that inning.

End 1: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0

A much better start for Texas today. The Longhorns gave up three runs in the opening frame on Friday, but freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan retires the side in order today. She had lots of help from the outfield, including a diving catch by left-fielder Bella Dayton on a well-hit ball from Koko Wooley for the second out.

Middle 1: Texas A&M 0, Texas 0

Texas A&M ace Emiley Kennedy gives up several hard-hit balls but she escapes the inning without any damage. Shortstop Vivi Martinez had a 2-out hit for Texas and Reese Atwood followed with a walk, and a shot by freshman Katie Stewart drives centerfielder Jazmine Hill to the wall, but Hill makes the catch.

Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan will face Aggie ace Emiley Kennedy in game two

Less than 24 hours after earning a complete-game win, Texas A&M ace Emiley Kennedy will return to the circle and try to close out the series. Kennedy gave up six hits with five walks and five strikeouts in game one, so keep an eye on how big a toll those seven innings took on a field with temperatures over 140 degrees. Texas coach Mike White will counter with Teagan Kavan, the Big 12’s freshman of the year who leads the Longhorns in innings pitched (108.1), wins (18) and strikeouts (113) this season.

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Austin, TX

Austin airport one step closer to major expansion that will add 32 new gates

Published

19 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Austin airport one step closer to major expansion that will add 32 new gates

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one step closer to getting a major makeover after finalizing lease agreements with airlines that will support future renovations, including the addition of 32 new gates.

The airport on Wednesday announced the completion of Airline Use and Lease Agreements and Signatory Cargo Agreements with several major airlines and cargo companies, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, FedEx and UPS.

According to a press release from the airport, the use-and-lease agreements allow companies to commit funding to the project through rent and fees “generated under the agreements’ cost-recovery structure, supporting the airport’s ability to deliver projects that expand capacity, strengthen resiliency, and improve the passenger experience.”

The agreements will support the following projects at Austin-Bergstrom over the next 10 years:

The addition of Concourse B, which will add 26 new gates, including 18 for Southwest Airlines and five with United Airlines.
Concourse M, adding six new gates, a bus to transport travelers to and from the Barbara Jordan Terminal, new concessions, restrooms and passenger amenities.
Enhanced seating and amenities, increased space and modernized concessions in Concourse A (home to all international flights). Delta Air Lines will have 15 gates, American Airlines will have nine, Alaska Airlines will have one and there will be eight common-use gates.
Updates to HVAC systems, electrical system, IT and telecommunications, storm drainage, water quality and de-icing infrastructure.

In a statement, District 2 Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes applauded the future job creation that’s to come out of the project.

“This expansion program represents a tremendous economic opportunity for Austin—not only through the trades and construction jobs created during the buildout, but also through long-term jobs in concessions, airport operations, and airline services after the program is complete,” Fuentes said.

“This agreement reflects years of partnership, thoughtful negotiations, and shared vision with our airline partners. Their commitment provides the financial foundation we need to modernize our facilities, transform customer experience, and build the infrastructure needed to support Central Texas’ continued growth for generations to come. AUS would not be where it is today without the collaboration and investment of our airlines, and we are deeply grateful for their trust and partnership as we shape the future of air travel in Central Texas,” said Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The final cost of the project is still under development, but is anticipated to grow from an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion. According to the airport, funding sources include airport cash reserves, airport revenues, bond proceeds and grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.

“No local Austin taxpayer dollars are used to fund the airport’s expansion program,” the release said.

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Austin, TX

Black Sheep Coffee Opens First Austin Location, Expanding Its Texas Footprint | What Now Austin

Published

12 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Black Sheep Coffee Opens First Austin Location, Expanding Its Texas Footprint | What Now Austin

Black Sheep Coffee, the international coffee brand, will celebrate the opening of its first Central Texas location in Downtown Austin with two public events. The new café, located at W 6th St & Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701, marks a significant step in the company’s U.S. expansion following strong growth throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

A public ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted in partnership with the Austin Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Thursday, January 15 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., welcoming community members, local leaders, and partners into the space. During the event, guests can enjoy half-price lattes, including coffee and matcha drinks.

On Saturday, January 17, Black Sheep Coffee will officially celebrate their grand opening with a Sips & Beats event from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring live vinyl set by DJ Foxxy Brown, signature menu tastings, and half-price lattes throughout the event. Continuing the celebration, the store will also offer a 50% discount to International Half Marathon medal holders on Sunday, January 18, welcoming runners and spectators to refuel post-race.

Designed to reflect Austin’s creative identity, the location features custom graffiti artwork inspired by the city’s street art scene and the energy of Downtown. The new outpost will serve Black Sheep Coffee’s complete menu, including its 100% specialty-grade Robusta coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, smoothies, pastries, Norwegian waffles, curated food offerings, and two bakery variations created exclusively for the Austin store. Additional limited-time items will debut later in January as part of the brand’s functional health product refresh.

“Austin has long been on our radar for its passionate community and standout coffee culture,” said Eirik Holth, co-founder of Black Sheep Coffee in a statement. “We’re excited to become part of that fabric and bring something new to Downtown. With several U.S. locations in the pipeline, Austin marks a major milestone in our next chapter of growth.”

Black Sheep Coffee chose Austin for its strong alignment with the brand’s ethos and its reputation as a city that celebrates individuality and creativity. The opening also reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to Texas, with several additional locations planned statewide for 2026.

The Austin café will be open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit BlackSheepCoffee.us.

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Austin, TX

Lawsuit: Brianna Aguilera’s parents allege underage alcohol service at Austin tailgate contributed to daughter’s death

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Lawsuit: Brianna Aguilera’s parents allege underage alcohol service at Austin tailgate contributed to daughter’s death

The parents of Brianna Aguilera have filed a lawsuit against two organizations, alleging that they served alcohol to their underage daughter which contributed to her death in Austin.

Before Aguilera fell to her death from the Rio 21 Apartments in West Campus, the lawsuit states that she attended a tailgate at the Austin Blacks Rugby Club’s facility, organized by the UT Latin Economics and Business Association.

Both the Austin Blacks Rugby Club and the UT Latin Economics and Business Association were listed as defendants in the lawsuit.

>> What we know about Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s death in Austin

Even though the lawsuit states Aguilera was “noticeably intoxicated” at the tailgate, her parents argue that the defendants continued to serve her alcohol.

According to court documents, Aguilera allegedly began stumbling at the tailgate and needed help standing at times. At some point, the lawsuit said she fell into the woods and lost her phone.

After leaving the tailgate at approximately 10 p.m., court documents state Aguilera died around two hours later.

The lawsuit also accuses the defendants of negligence and gross negligence for serving alcohol to Aguilera despite her age and allegedly overserving her.

In the suit, Aguilera’s parents demanded a trial by jury and sought at least $1 million plus interest, costs and punitive damages.

Aguilera’s parents also seek damages for wrongful death, citing the defendants’ alleged misconduct.

Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who’s representing the Aguilera family, commented on the lawsuit in a Tuesday news conference.

Watch the full news conference below:

“Brianna was obviously overserved,” Buzbee said. “Even the police have concluded that she was overserved at that tailgate. She was not 21.”

Buzbee also stated that the Austin Police Department has allegedly told multiple witnesses not to talk with him and Aguilera’s parents.

“They told the three, the three individuals that were in that apartment that night when this young girl died. They told them, do not speak to Brianna’s mother or her lawyers,” Buzbee said.

He said that the lawsuit could provide a way for the witnesses to eventually come forward with information.

“By filing this lawsuit, not only will we hold accountable an entity or entities that were involved in overserving Brianna and other minors, but we will also be able to subpoena individuals and documents and video and data so we can continue our investigation,” Buzbee said.

KSAT’s sister station, KPRC, has reached out to both the Austin Blacks Rugby Club and the UT Latin Economics and Business Association for comment on the lawsuit. This story will be updated once the organizations provide a statement.

More coverage of this story on KSAT:

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