No. 5 Softball completes comeback in series opener at No. 13 Georgia

Saturday, April 18

Athens, Ga.

3 p.m. CT

University of Texas

34-6, 11-5

#13 Georgia

32-12, 9-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Texas	1	0	0	0	3	2	1	7	12	0
Georgia	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	5	11	1

No. 5 Softball completes comeback in series opener at No. 13 Georgia

04.18.2026 | Softball

Box Score

The Longhorns overcame a 5-1 deficit and scored six unanswered runs.

By: Grace Tafolla

ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Texas Softball overcame a four-run deficit and scored six unanswered runs to clinch a 7-5, come-from-behind, win in Saturday's series opener vs. No. 13 Georgia at Jack Turner Softball Stadium.

The Longhorns improve to 34-6 overall, 11-6 in SEC play, 10-2 on the road and 14-6 against ranked opponents. Texas has claimed seven wins against foes ranked inside the top-15, including back-to-back wins against top-13 opponents.

Texas found itself down 5-1 after Georgia scored five runs in the bottom of the third. The Horns responded and scored six unanswered runs throughout the final four innings to complete the comeback.

Junior RHP Teagan Kavan made her 19th start of the season and spun the game's first 3.1 frames, surrendering five runs on seven hits while fanning three batters. Senior RHP Citlaly Gutierrez replaced Kavan in the bottom of the third with two away and the Horns down 5-1. Gutierrez picked up the victory after tossing 3.2 scoreless innings while working around four base knocks and striking out one batter. With Texas leading 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Gutierrez gave up a base hit to right, and Kavan re-entered the circle to force a fly out to right and a strikeout. Kavan walked the next batter to put runners on first and second with two down. Georgia singled to right field, but senior right fielder Ashton Maloney mowed down the runner at home with a laser throw to Reese Atwood to end the ballgame. Kavan earned her third save of the season. Kavan's has a program-record 11 career saves.

The Longhorns took an early 1-0 lead in the first after junior shortstop Viviana Martinez drove in Katie Stewart on a fielder's choice to second base. After a scoreless second inning by both teams, the Bulldogs put up a five-spot in the third for a 5-1 advantage.

After a quiet fourth, freshman designated player Hannah Wells smashed a two-out, three-run home run to right center – her eighth home run of the year – to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Freshman Jaycie Nichols began the top of the sixth with a bunt single to catcher. With two outs, Nichols then stole second base to put a runner in scoring position for junior first baseman Katie Stewart. Not wanting to face Stewart's hot bat, the Bulldogs walked Stewart to put two runners on base for the Horns. Senior catcher Reese Atwood then cracked a single down the third base line to score Nichols from second and even the score at 5-5. Martinez plated her second run of the game on a single up the middle to score Stewart and regain a 6-5 lead for Texas.

The Longhorns added insurance in the top of the seventh when Stewart drew a bases-loaded walk to score sophomore Taylor Anderson, who was pinch running for Wells, and make it 7-5 Texas.

The Horns combined for 12 hits with two going for extra bases. Wells sparked the Longhorn offense with a 2-for-4 performance that included a three-run home run and a single off the right field wall in the seventh. It marked Wells' second-straight game with a home run. Martinez finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a walk. Atwood had a 3-for-5 performance with an RBI. Atwood tied her season-high in hits with three singles. Stewart went 1-for-3 with an RBI, double and two walks. Senior second baseman Leighann Goode, senior left fielder Kaydee Bennett and Nichols had a base hit apiece.

Up Next

Game two between the Longhorns and Bulldogs is set for 11 a.m. CT Sunday, April 19, on ESPN with Beth Mowins and Michele Smith on the call.