Texas
Texas softball shows it can handle newfound pressure in win over Texas State
Knocking off No. 1 Oklahoma comes with a burden for Texas’ softball team. Expectations rise with the rankings, attention grows and pressure mounts for a team now ranked No. 2 in the USA Today/NFCA poll and No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Softball poll.
And Texas coach Mike White wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s out there,” White said. “I told them the fact is we’re number one. And you know, that is what it is. I mean, you can sweep it under the rug all you want, but you’ve got to face it. We got to know how to play with that.”
Texas State puts up a fight
The Longhorns (32-6, 11-4 Big 12) got a taste of that heavier target on their back in Wednesday’s Hill Country brawl against No. 25 Texas State. The Bobcats threw ace Jessica Mullins into the mix in the nonconference game at McCombs Field, knowing the prestige that comes with knocking off Texas outweighs any extra rest for a weekend series with Sun Belt Conference heavyweight Louisiana.
The plan almost worked. Texas State took a lead into the bottom of the fifth inning before the Longhorns rallied for a thrilling 6-4 win in a game where gusty winds out of the north made every fly ball and pop-up an adventure.
Mullins, who held Texas to six hits and just one run in a 1-0 Texas victory back in February, was credited with five runs allowed before giving way to Round Rock High School graduate Maddie Azua in the fifth inning. Texas scored three runs in that fifth frame, including one by catcher Reese Atwood on a wild pitch by Azua that gave the Longhorns the lead. Outfielder Kayden Henry then added an insurance run by driving in Vivi Martinez, which would be plenty of cushion for senior Estelle Czech to get the win in relief.
“I’m pretty happy about getting five runs off of Mullins, because she’s tough,” White said. “We’ve really struggled against her. She’s just always been tough. She’s great with her locations and can hit spots. She’s competitive and fights. We just knew it was going to be a tough game.”
Texas State (32-10) tagged Texas starter Citlaly Gutierrez for four hits and three runs, all in the top of the third inning, before Czech came in to quiet the Bobcat bats. Czech allowed just three hits and one run over four innings to improve to 6-3 on the season.
White credited Czech for serving as a calming influence in the circle, especially in a game’s tautest of moments.
“I don’t feel any pressure,” Czech said. “When pressure comes to you, you basically just use it to your advantage. So like those butterflies and everything, those nervous feelings, you use that. I worked my entire life for this, these moments in softball. I have to trust myself here.”
White acknowledged that playing a midweek game against a talented team – especially after the emotional series win over Oklahoma – came with its challenges. And he also knows his team won’t have much time to rest with a three-game series against Baylor staring Friday.
“You’re always worried about what are we going to bring into a game at this point in the season,” he said. “It’s been a tough grind, to tell you the truth. But after this weekend, I think we get a couple of days off. That should be good timing for us.”
Next at bat? Texas takes on Baylor
About this weekend. Baylor (22-14, 5-10), which is just outside the USA Today/NFCA rankings, has struggled in Big 12 play but always plays Texas tough. Last season, the Bears almost ruined Texas’ chances at hosting a first-round NCAA series by sweeping the Longhorns, a fact that has already been mentioned by White.
“Oh, I’ve reminded them,” he said. “I don’t hide anything.”
When asked about Baylor, Czech just gave a little shrug. Yes, it’s a big series, especially for a Texas squad seeking to host two rounds of the NCAA tournament. But it’s also just the next series, as Czech explained.
“They did sweep us (last year), and that’s definitely something we have to keep our eye out for, but we have to keep our eye out for every team,” she said. “Every team is good. We just have to be us, you know? Our coaches try and tell us not to play the name on the jersey. Just be who we are. Not too high. Not too low.”
This weekend’s series
No. 2 Texas (32-6, 11-4) v. Baylor (22-14, 5-10)
Friday, 6:30 p.m., Getterman Field, Waco, ESPN+
Saturday, 1:30 p.m., McCombs Field, Austin, ESPN2
Sunday, 1 p.m., McCombs Field, Austin, LHN
Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources as a massive storm system threatens much of the state with hurricane-force winds, giant hail, and the risk of tornadoes.
Severe weather in Texas
The severe weather, expected to last through Monday morning, covers a vast footprint including West, North, East, Central, and South-Central Texas. Forecasters warned the system could produce wind gusts exceeding 75 mph and hail larger than 2 inches in diameter.
What they’re saying:
“Texas is prepared to confront the severe storms that pose a threat to communities all across our state,” Abbott said in a statement. He urged Texans to monitor local forecasts and warned motorists never to drive through flooded roadways, invoking the phrase, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Heavy rainfall is expected to be widespread, with some areas potentially seeing isolated totals of 3 to 6 inches, which could lead to significant flash flooding. As the system progresses, the threat is expected to shift toward the South and Southeast Texas coasts.
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In preparation, the governor has deployed a wide array of state assets to assist local officials, including:
- Search and Rescue: Swiftwater and floodwater rescue boat squads and urban search and rescue teams from Texas A&M Task Forces 1, 2, and 3.
- Aviation and Marine Support: Helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Department of Public Safety and Texas Parks and Wildlife, as well as Tactical Marine Units.
- Infrastructure and Recovery: Texas Forest Service saw crews to clear debris from roads and Department of Transportation personnel to monitor highway conditions.
- Medical and Utility Support: Emergency medical task forces with ambulances and all-terrain vehicles, along with monitors from the Public Utility Commission to coordinate power outage responses.
State agencies are also monitoring the state’s natural gas supply and water quality as the storms move through.
Officials encouraged residents to assemble emergency kits and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org before attempting to travel.
The Source: Information in this article is from the Governor Greg Abbott Press Office.
Saturday started out a bit warm and sticky outside in North Texas, but there will be plenty of sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s. Most of the area will stay dry today, but there is a chance for an isolated storm that could reach severe criteria late tonight for counties to the northwest of the metroplex.
Make sure you have an indoor plan for Mother’s Day celebrations tomorrow! Sunday morning will start warm, muggy, and dry for most with the exception of an isolated storm possible along the Red River.
A First Alert Weather Day is in place on Sunday due to a front that will swing across North Texas in the late afternoon through the evening. All modes of severe weather will be likely, but the main threat includes a significant risk of hail up to 2 inches in diameter and winds up to category 1 hurricane strength.
Once the front moves through, cooler temperatures will settle into the forecast on Monday. However, the cool down won’t last long. A warming trend returns and temperatures climb into the 90’s once again at the end of the next week. Stay tuned!
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