No. 11/13 Softball drops opener of the NCAA Stillwater Super Regional, 6-1

Friday, May 28

Stillwater, Okla.

4 p.m. CT

University of Texas

42-13

#7/5 Oklahoma State

46-9

Texas

Oklahoma State

No. 11/13 Softball drops opener of the NCAA Stillwater Super Regional, 6-1

05.28.2021 | Softball

Box Score

No. 12-seed Texas and No. 5-seed Oklahoma State will contest game two on Sat. live on ESPN (3 p.m. CT)

STILLWATER, Okla. – On Friday evening in front of 713 fans at Cowgirl Stadium, No. 5-national seed Oklahoma State (46-9) took the opener of the NCAA Stillwater Super Regional from No. 5-national seed Texas (42-13), 6-1.

The two teams will return to action in game two of the best-of-three series on Sat., May 29, at 3 p.m. CT live on ESPN.

Important Notes

Junior second baseman Janae Jefferson actually improved her 2021 NCAA Tournament batting average to a remarkable .563 (9-for-16) after going 2-for-3 against No. 7/5 Oklahoma State.
This marks only the second time that Texas has gone on the road for NCAA Super Regionals. In the previous occurrence, the Longhorns dropped game one of the 2019 NCAA Tuscaloosa Super Regional before rebounding to top No. 5 Alabama in game two, 7-5.
The Longhorns are now 6-for-7 (.857) in pinch-hitting during the 2021 NCAA Tournament with freshman outfielder Jordyn Whitaker leading the charge at a perfect 3-for-3.
With tonight's loss at OSU, Texas dropped to 8-5 all-time over six NCAA Super Regional appearances.
Texas dropped just its third game in 2021 when scoring a run in the first inning (now 23-3).

Major Players

Junior second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-3, run); redshirt junior designated player Taylor Ellsworth (1-for-2, RBI); freshman pinch hitter Jordyn Whitaker (1-for-1, walk)

In the Circle

Graduate transfer Molly Jacobsen (14-6) suffered the loss after allowing four earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts over 3.0 frames of work. Freshman Ryleigh White permitted two earned runs on four hits over 3.0 innings of relief.

The Details

Back-to-back singles from Jefferson and senior center fielder Shannon Rhodes got the Longhorns offense in immediate business to open the top of the first. Following a Lauren Burke sacrifice bunt, Ellsworth executed a perfect squeeze play to plate Jefferson for a quick 1-0 lead.

Oklahoma State answered right back in the bottom of the first as a Chyenne Factor walk was quickly cashed in on a two-out HR to center from first baseman Alysen Febrey allowing the Cowgirls to grab a 2-1 advantage.

The starters settled things down from the circle until the bottom of the fourth. That's when Oklahoma State's Febrey and Hayley Busby opened the inning with back-to-back HR's to make it 4-1.

Texas got the leadoff batter on to begin the fifth as freshman pinch hitter Jordyn Whitaker beat out a single to first. Unfortunately, a bouncer to short turned into a quick 6-3 double play to clear the base paths.

The Longhorns got two more aboard in the top of the sixth on singles from Jefferson and Ellsworth. Junior catcher Mary Iakopo stepped up facing a big spot but hit a sharp line drive right to OSU second baseman Karli Petty to leave two stranded.

The Cowgirls used one more long ball to boost their lead to 6-1 in the sixth as second baseman Karli Petty hit a two-run HR down the right-field line.

With one final chance to battle back into the game, Texas got a one-out walk from Whitaker. Unfortunately, a 5-4-3 OSU double play ended the contest.

NCAA Stillwater Super Regional Schedule

Friday, May 28

4 p.m. CT NO. 12-SEED TEXAS at No. 5-seed Oklahoma State – Oklahoma State, 6-1

Saturday, May 29

3 p.m. CT No. 5-seed Oklahoma State vs. NO. 12-SEED TEXAS – ESPN

Sunday, May 30

5 p.m. CT NO. 12-SEED TEXAS at No. 5-seed Oklahoma State* – ESPNU

*if necessary