The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Saint Francis
No. 11/13 Softball preview: NCAA Austin Regional
05.20.2021 | Softball
The Longhorns open NCAA action by hosting Saint Francis, Oregon and Texas State at McCombs Field
No. 11/13 Texas (39-11) hosts the NCAA Austin Regional | May 21-23 | Red & Charline McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
NCAA Austin Regional Schedule:
Fri., May 21
4 p.m. CT Saint Francis (PA) (40-8) vs. TEXAS (39-11) (Game One) – LONGHORN NETWORK
6:30 p.m. CT Texas State (38-12) vs. Oregon (37-15) (Game Two) – ESPN3
Sat., May 22
1 p.m. CT Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner (Game Three)
3:30 p.m. CT Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser (Game Four)
6 p.m. CT Game 3 Loser vs. Game Four Winner (Game Five)
Sun., May 23
3 p.m. CT Game 3 Winner vs. Game Five Winner (Game Six)
5:30 p.m. CT (If necessary) rematch of Game Six
TEXAS CLEAR BAG POLICY: Please note that there is a Clear Bag Policy in effect for fans when attending Texas Athletic events. For more details, please visit this LINK
Location: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Live Stats: LINK
Television: All Texas games are slated for broadcast on Longhorn Network with Kevin Brown (play-by-play), Amanda Scarborough (color) and Jalyn Johnson (reporter). All non-Texas games will be shown live on ESPN3
Radio: Texas' games are scheduled for radio broadcast via web stream with Andrew Haynes on the call via this LINK. The Texas broadcast can also be heard locally on 105.3 FM as part of the Austin Radio Network supported by the flagship radio station of the Longhorns, 104.9 FM The Horn.
Base Knocks:
- Texas earned the No. 12 national seed during Sunday's NCAA Selection Show and the right to host a regional in Austin for the second consecutive NCAA Tournament.
- The Longhorns have hosted eight previous NCAA Austin Regionals (2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019), successfully advancing six times (2003, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2019).
- Senior outfielder Shannon Rhodes owns a .437 career NCAA Tournament batting average (31-71) with five HR's and 24 RBIs over 26 games. The Fort Worth, Texas, product hit .417 overall with three HR's and 11 RBIs during the entire 2019 NCAA Tournament. Included was a .467 mark with two HR's and six RBIs at the NCAA Austin Regional. While at Oregon, she was named the MVP of the 2017 NCAA Eugene Regional.
- Junior second baseman Janae Jefferson is a truly remarkable table setter for the Longhorns. Facing any opportunity to leadoff an inning during 2021, the Humble, Texas, product is hitting a staggering .556 (35-for-63).
- Senior outfielder Kaitllyn Washington often stands out during NCAA Regional play as the Humble, Texas, native owns a .389 career regional batting mark. She was named the MVP of the 2018 Seattle Regional after posting a .778 (7-for-9) average with four doubles.
- Sophomore pitcher Shea O'Leary is quickly becoming the team's late-game closer. The 6-2 right hander has made nine appearances out of the bullpen this season, posting three saves while registering a 0.75 ERA, a 1-0 record and 16 strikeouts over 18.2 innings. During her career, O'Leary is 4-2 with a 0.88 ERA, four saves and 33 K's in 40 frames of relief work (19 appearances).
- Senior outfielder Shannon Rhodes has truly been one of the top offensive threats in the nation this season for the Longhorns as the Fort Worth, Texas, native currently ranks ninth in NCAA Division I in RBIs with 54. That RBI total is good for fourth all-time in a single-season in program history.
- The Longhorns have now hit multiple HR's in a game on 22 separate occasions this year. Texas' season-high was five HR's during wins at Houston (March 3) and against Tarleton State (March 13). Texas has also hit at least one HR in 36-of-50 contests this season.
- Three seems to be the magic number for Texas success as the Longhorns are 36-2 when scoring at least three times in a game this season and 3-9 when plating two-or-fewer runs.
