No. 1/1 Softball inches closer to Big 12 Conference championship

Friday, May 3

Lubbock, TX

6:30 PM CT

University of Texas

43-6, 0

Texas Tech

28-18, 0

Texas

Texas Tech

No. 1/1 Softball inches closer to Big 12 Conference championship

05.03.2024 | Softball

Box Score

Texas’ Friday night win, combined with Oklahoma’s loss to Oklahoma State moves Longhorns into first place

By: Chris Allen Brown

LUBBOCK, Texas – One doesn't need to get ready, if they stay ready and Leighann Goode provided the perfect example of that throughout Texas' 13-3, five-inning win over Texas Tech to begin the two team's three-game weekend series on Friday night.

Earning her first start since April 10 against Texas State and just fifth in a conference game this season, Goode turned in a near-season best performance. In four official plate appearances throughout the evening, the sophomore drove in four runs — one shy of tying her season high (5) set against Tarleton State on March 1 — and scored two — one back of matching her season high (3) set during the previously mentioned non-conference game — on two hits, one of which was a double during the Longhorns' seven-run top of the fourth.

Even though Texas eventually did score three runs in the top of the second to answer Texas Tech's two first inning runs, Goode nearly made it happen just three batters into the frame when she sent a 1-2 pitch soaring through the air and deep into left field. But the near 30-mile-per-hour winds knocked down the softball mere inches before the left field wall.

But the San Antonio native delivered an inning later with a two-run single to extend Texas' lead to 6-2 to proceed the seven-run fourth that all but put the game away.

Texas, with Oklahoma's loss to Oklahoma State nearly a half hour after the Longhorns' victory on Friday, moves into first place in the Big 12 Conference standings with two days remaining in the regular season. A UT win combined with another Sooner loss on Saturday would clinch a share of the regular season conference championship for the Longhorns.

FROM HEAD COACH MIKE WHITE

"Obviously, there were a lot of delays because of the weather and uncertainty if there would be hail, tornadoes or whatever. So, I thought the team did a really good job of staying present in the moment, then being down 2-0 was tough as well. Mac (Morgan) had to battle through a little bit, then Teagan (Kavan) came in and did a good job. We fought back from that 2-0 deficit straightaway, and I thought that was really important and then we just kept on putting runs up on the scoreboard."

FROM SOPHOMORE INFIELDER LEIGHANN GOODE

"I thought we played really well (tonight). We got down early, but we stuck together as a team and just strung bats together. Today felt good for me and just trusting the process and not fearing consequences. If I get out, I get out and I'll work through it for the next at bat."

GAME NOTES

Friday night's 13 runs scored by the Longhorns were the most by a Texas offense against Texas Tech pitching since plating 15 in five innings on April 22, 2011.
- The 13 runs were also the second most runs scored by a UT team against the Red Raiders throughout the series history that dates back to April 27, 1997.
The 13 runs scored by Texas throughout the series opening contest on Friday marked not just the 16th time this season the Longhorns have scored 10-or-more runs in a game, but also the second most runs scored against a Big 12 opponent this season.
- On Friday, April 12, UT scored 14 runs on 16 hits against Baylor in Waco.
- The most runs scored in a game by the Texas offense this season is 19, which the Longhorns accomplished on Feb. 9 against San Diego.
Ten different Texas Longhorn softball student-athletes saw recorded at least one official plate appearance throughout Friday's game. Of those 10, six — Ashton Maloney, Mia Scott, Joley Mitchell, Kayden Henry, Leighann Goode and Bella Dayton — finished the contest with two hits.
First-year Longhorn Joley Mitchell tied her career high with three runs scored.
- Friday night marked the third time in her career Mitchell has touched home plate on three separate occasions during a single game and first time since Feb. 21, 2024 against Houston Christian.

UP NEXT

Texas (43-6, 21-4) will look to extend its current winning streak to 15 consecutive games when the Longhorns and Red Raiders (28-18, 8-14) return to Rocky Johnson Field at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 4 for the second game of the weekend's three-game series.

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