The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
#1 Oklahoma
No. 18 Softball preview: No. 1 Oklahoma
04.13.2022 | Softball
The Longhorns prep to host the Sooners in the annual Red River Showdown series
No. 18 Texas (30-10-1, 6-0 Big 12) hosts No. 1 Oklahoma (36-0, 6-0 Big 12) | April 14-16 | Red & Charline McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
Schedule:
Thursday, April 14
6 p.m. #1 Oklahoma vs. #18 TEXAS – LHN
Friday, April 15
6 p.m. #1 Oklahoma vs. #18 TEXAS – LHN
Saturday, April 16
1 p.m. #1 Oklahoma vs. #18 TEXAS – LHN
Location: Austin, Texas (Red & Charline McCombs Field)
Ticket Information: SOLD OUT
Live Stats: LINK
Television: All three Oklahoma games will be broadcast on Longhorn Network and WATCH ESPN with Alex Loeb (play-by-play) and Cat Osterman (analyst).
Radio: Texas' games this season are scheduled for radio broadcast via web stream with Andrew Haynes on the call via this LINK. The Texas broadcast can usually 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 will officially retire Longhorns legend Cat Osterman's No. 8 jersey in a pre-game ceremony before Saturday's series finale.
- Texas enters this weekend's series with a 5-21 all-time record against No. 1 ranked teams. The Longhorns last victory over a top-rated squad came on Feb. 27, 2020, with a 6-4 (8 inn.) win over No. 1 UCLA in Los Angeles.
- Texas has rallied back from a deficit to win each of its last four games (three against Iowa State and versus UT Arlington).
- Texas sophomore outfielder Alyssa Popelka has been on fire at the plate over her last six games (didn't play against UT Arlington), posting six consecutive multi-hit efforts while hitting .722 (13-for-18) overall. The Austin, Texas, native has also swiped five bases and posted a 1.460 OPS (.737 OBP) over that stretch.
- Texas has won five consecutive games against ranked opponents (two at Louisiana & three versus LSU) in a single season for the first time since Feb. 24-March 6, 2013.
- Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson has quietly been climbing her way up the national stat rankings. The Humble, Texas, product now rates eighth in all of NCAA Division I in hits (55) and 20th in doubles (12).
- The Longhorns ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division I in total doubles with 73 (as of April 12), trailing only North Dakota State (77). Janae Jefferson (12) leads Texas.
- The Longhorns currently rank No. 15 in the latest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) that's used as one of the tools to seed postseason play and are No. 36 in strength of schedule.
- Maybe Texas should consider putting Mary Iakopo in the leadoff spot from time to time. We only say that because the senior C/1B is hitting a remarkable .636 (14-for-22) when leading off any inning this season.
