Austin, TX

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

Published

1 year 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 real estate broker, supplier arrested for alleged role in drug network

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Austin real estate broker, supplier arrested for alleged role in drug network

AUSTIN, Texas — Court documents have revealed that a commercial real estate broker in Austin was arrested on Thursday on charges related to a narcotics distribution operation.

According to an arrest affidavit, Justin Bayne, 45, who is the president of Baynes Commercial, faces multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance.

ALSO| Hays County man sentenced to 15 years for 2022 crash that killed woman, injured baby

According to investigators from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Bayne was involved in a concierge-style drug network, regularly purchasing cocaine and introducing associates to an accused dealer. The clientele reportedly included doctors, executives, and individuals in the entertainment industry.

The documents indicate that Bayne maintained a supplier-buyer relationship with Uthman “Tobi” Oluwatobi Salisu, 31, who was arrested in September following an anonymous tip.

Salisu is facing five counts of money laundering of $300,000 or more, and four counts of manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance.

The affidavit references messages where Bayne arranged cocaine pickups, paid through Venmo, and organized purchases from his office. Investigators estimate that introductions made by Bayne led to more than $45,000 in cocaine sales.

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Austin, TX

Austin ISD approves plan to close 10 schools after hours of public comment

Published

21 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Austin ISD approves plan to close 10 schools after hours of public comment

The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted yes to a highly contentious plan to close 10 schools and make several major programming changes before the 2026-27 school year.

The vote came early Friday morning after months of community meetings and school protests.

Superintendent Matias Segura estimates the plan will generate $21.5 million — eliminating the district’s $19.7 million budget deficit — and reduce the number of “empty seats” in the district by 6,319 from more than 20,000.

“This is difficult, and I wish we didn’t have to do it,” Segura said at the meeting. “But the pressures are gargantuan, and without significant change, we will not be the school district that ultimately can protect who we are moving forward.”

The board’s vote gives the district the green light to close eight elementary schools — Barrington, Becker, Dawson, Oak Springs, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley, Widén and Winn Montessori — as well as Bedichek and Martin middle schools.

Austin Independent School District

Austin ISD estimates closing these schools will generate $21.5 million in savings.

Additionally, International High School, which helps ninth and 10th grade students who recently immigrated to Texas transition into the state’s public education system, will close due to low enrollment. International students will be reassigned to a campus near their home and will be offered “newcomer support.”

While the financial savings will be a boon to the district, the plan also aims to improve accountability ratings at seven chronically failing schools. The letter grades are handed down annually by the Texas Education Agency to public schools and are largely based on standardized test scores.

The district’s original plan, released in early October, included 13 school closures and triggered parent and student protests. The district received more than 7,000 pieces of community feedback from concerned parents, teachers and staff. That feedback led to the district scaling back the number of closures to 10.

The board voted on the plan after nearly three hours of public comment from parents, teachers and community members. Nearly every speaker urged the board to reject the plan.

Téo Vigil, a third grader at Ridgetop Elementary, stood on a chair to reach the microphone and deliver his message to the board.

“At school, I learned to listen to my feelings. When I think about this plan, it makes me feel sad, worried and confused. I think you should listen to your feelings, too. Good choices do not feel like this,” he said. “I know you already made a plan, but grown-ups can change their minds when something does not feel right anymore.”

Band director Andria Hyden said she drives an hour from her home in Round Rock to South Austin’s Bedichek Middle School.

Hyden said for many kids, Bedichek is “the only place where they feel safe, accepted and successful.”

“Middle school is already one of the hardest stages of childhood,” she said. “Asking students to start over across three different campuses, to rebuild friendships, to search for trusted adults, to try and find where they fit is not what’s best for their emotional or academic well being.”

Major changes coming to dual language programs

The district’s most comprehensive dual language programming at Becker, Ridgetop, Sunset Valley and Reilly elementary schools will be moved to Sanchez, Pickle, Wooten and Odom elementary schools as part of this plan.

Current dual language students will be given priority transfers to the new campuses.

Sanchez, Pickle and Wooten elementary schools will remain “neighborhood” campuses that serve households in their boundary lines and offer dual language programming to a portion of the student population. The district said it plans on eventually transitioning these schools to campus-wide dual language schools that are non-zoned.

Odom Elementary will become the district’s only school that offers a campus-wide dual language program and is non-zoned. At campus-wide dual language schools, almost all curriculum is taught in both English and Spanish.

The district said it is relocating its dual language programs to serve the emergent bilingual population — students who primarily speak Spanish at home and are learning English — more equitably.

Reilly Elementary will offer a Montessori program, and students from Winn Montessori will be given priority transfers to follow the program as Winn closes.

The plan approved Thursday is far less sweeping than the district’s initial proposal, which also included redrawing the attendance boundaries for 98% of schools and changing feeder patterns so more students stay together through elementary, middle and high school.

The district claims those changes would have balanced out enrollment throughout Austin ISD. District data shows some schools are extremely under-enrolled while others are so full they require portable classrooms.

In a Nov. 4 email to parents, Segura said those aspects of the plan were delayed following “significant concerns” about district officials responsible for handling community feedback related to the plan. Those concerns resulted in two employees being placed on leave while an investigation takes place.

What’s next for the district

The district will send letters to staff at closing schools with a survey asking where they would like to work next school year.

Segura said the district will discuss closing additional schools and redrawing attendance boundaries in the spring and could vote on another plan next fall.

That plan could include closing Maplewood, Palm and Bryker Woods elementary schools. These were originally slated for closure before next school year before the district narrowed its focus. AISD officials have not confirmed all of the schools being considered for future consolidation plans.

Another change that could be settled next fall is a plan that would allow construction to continue at Oak Springs Elementary. The school in East Austin is set to undergo a $47.6 million renovation with money from the voter-approved 2022 bond.

During the construction period, Oak Springs students would attend Blackshear Elementary. Upon the project’s completion, students from Blackshear would return to Oak Springs and Blackshear would likely close.

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Austin, TX

Austin dominates Texas in OpenTable’s 2025 Top 100 Restaurants in America

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2025

Press Room

Austin dominates Texas in OpenTable’s 2025 Top 100 Restaurants in America

OpenTable released its Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2025, and Austin stood out as the Texas city with the most recognized restaurants. The annual list — based on more than 10 million diner reviews, reservation demand, diner ratings, and the share of five-star reviews — highlights the country’s most sought-after dining spots.

This year’s collection reflects what diners themselves are booking and praising. Here are the Austin destinations that made the list:

Mediterranean | $50 and over

A modern, California-inflected Mediterranean restaurant known for dishes such as smoky garlic hummus, shawarma-spiced skirt steak and grilled salmon kebabs.

A West Austin favorite emphasizing fresh oysters, cold seafood platters and classic coastal cooking.

Steakhouse | $50 and over

A downtown oyster bar and chophouse offering wood-grilled steaks, market oysters and an intimate fine-dining setting.

An Austin institution since 1975, featuring dry-aged steaks, classic fine-dining dishes and one of the state’s largest wine lists.

A retro-styled “red sauce” Italian-American restaurant with classics served in a lively downtown space.

Contemporary Mexican | $31 to $50

Chef Tyson Cole’s nationally known Japanese restaurant offering non-traditional sushi and creative small plates.

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