The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
43-19-1
#4 Arkansas
48-11
No. 16/18 Softball advances to WCWS with 3-0 blanking of No. 4 Arkansas
05.28.2022 | Softball
The Longhorns earned the program’s sixth all-time WCWS bid and the first since 2013
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On Saturday afternoon in NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional action at Bogle Park, a three-run, sixth-inning outburst backed freshman pitcher Sophia Simpson's complete-game shutout as No. 16/18 Texas softball (43-19-1) stunned 3,115 red-clad fans in attendance by shutting out No. 4 Arkansas (48-11) to advance to the Women's College World Series, 3-0.
Notes
- This will mark Texas' sixth all-time WCWS berth and the first for the program since 2013.
- Texas became the first school to hand No. 4 Arkansas back-to-back losses this season and the first team to win a three-game series from the Razorbacks in 2022.
- The Longhorns broke Arkansas starter Chenise Delce's 13-decision winning streak.
- Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson doubled twice to give her 22 doubles on the year, breaking a tie for the Texas single-season school record of 20 also formerly held by Longhorns Lindsey Stephens and Paige von Sprecken.
- Freshman pitcher Sophia Simpson's win was her first since an 11-1, run-rule triumph at Texas Tech on April 30 and her first-ever over a nationally-ranked team.
- Texas now owns 11 wins this season over nationally-ranked teams, including top-five triumphs versus No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 4 Arkansas (two).
- Texas is now 11-7 all-time over seven NCAA Super Regional appearances, while Saturday's win over No. 4 Arkansas secured the Longhorns first-ever road NCAA Super Regional win.
- Jefferson is batting a remarkable .522 overall (12-for-23) so far over seven games in the NCAA Tournament with nine runs scored, three doubles, three HR's and a .577 on-base percentage (1.620 OPS).
Major Players
Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (2-for-4, run, two doubles); sophomore shortstop Alyssa Washington (2-for-3, run, double, two RBIs); senior catcher Mary Iakopo (1-for-3, RBI); freshman third baseman Mia Scott (1-for-4, run); senior left fielder Lauren Burke (1-for-3)
In the Circle
Freshman pitcher Sophia Simpson (8-4) turned in the best performance of her early collegiate career by scattering five hits, walking four and striking out seven over a complete-game shutout.
The Details
It was Arkansas that strung together the first big threat of the game as first baseman Danielle Gibson and third baseman Hannah Gammill started the bottom of the second with consecutive singles. After a wild pitch moved the runners up 60 feet into scoring position, Simpson came through with back-to-back strikeouts of designated player Linnie Malkin and right fielder Kacie Hoffmann. Second baseman Audrie LaValley stepped up facing a massive early spot and flew out to right center as Simpson & the Longhorns escaped a huge early jam.
After Jefferson was left stranded following her single-season Texas record 21st double of the season in the top of the third, the Razorbacks threatened again in their half of the frame. Shortstop Marlene Friedman originally struck out, but reached first base on a Simpson wild pitch. Center fielder KB Sides then walked, and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third with still no outs. Following a fly out to left, catcher Taylor Ellsworth hit a chopper to short. UT's Washington fielded the ball cleanly and fired a strike to the plate as Iakopo applied the tag on Friedman to prevent a run from scoring. From there, Simpson got a huge strikeout of Gibson to fight her way out of another massive threat.
A two-out Sides bloop single to center and a McEwen walk got UA back in business in the bottom of the fifth. Former Longhorns standout Ellsworth stepped into the box facing another huge moment in the game and popped up to catcher as Iakopo raced out to make the catch.
With Texas needing an offensive spark, Jefferson provided a huge one opening the sixth as the senior launched a leadoff double off the wall in left center. Scott came to the dish and dropped a perfect bunt up the third-base line for a single and quickly swiped second to station two in scoring position with still no outs. That's when Washington delivered the hit of the game by launching a two-RBI double to center to stake the Longhorns to a 2-0 advantage. Iakopo followed immediately with a RBI single of her own to left as Washington scored easily from third to make it 3-0.
The Razorbacks wasted no time fighting back as Gibson christened their half of the sixth with a single to right. Gammill walked to put two on with still no outs as Bogle Park roared to life in support. After a fielder's choice cut down a runner at second, UA's Hoffmann hit a bouncer to short. Washington corralled the ball and tossed to Jefferson to start a crucial, 6-4-3 double play to slide Texas free of another jam.
Facing one last chance to get back into the game in the bottom of the seventh, Arkansas got the first two batters aboard on a single and a walk. Texas' defense and Simpson again proved up to the task as a fielder's choice, a pop-up to third and a deep fly out to left set off Burnt Orange & White jubilation.
NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional Schedule
Thurs., May 26
6 p.m. CT #16/18 TEXAS (41-18-1) vs. #4 Arkansas (47-9) – ESPN2 – Arkansas, 7-1
Fri., May 27
5:30 p.m. CT #4 Arkansas (48-9) vs. #16/18 TEXAS (41-19-1) – ESPN2 – TEXAS, 3-1
Sat., May 28
3 p.m. CT #16/18 TEXAS (42-19-1) vs. #4 Arkansas (48-10) – ESPN – TEXAS, 3-0
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Simpson, Sophia (8-4)
L: Chenise Delce (19-3)
Batting:
2B: Jefferson, Janae 2 ; Washington, Alyssa 1
RBI: Washington, Alyssa 2 ; Iakopo, Mary 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jefferson, Janae 1 ; Scott, Mia 1 ; Washington, Alyssa 1
SB: Scott, Mia 1
