The Texas Longhorns are now officially in title defense mode. The UT softball team, who had to beat Tennessee twice on Monday in the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series, advances to the WCWS Championship Series for the fourth time in five years. Texas beat the Vols 5-2 in Game 1 and 4-0 in Game 2.
The Horns were led by their stars, Teagan Kavan on the mound and Katie Stewart at the plate.
Texas’ ace pitcher pitched a two-hit shutout in the late game that featured nine strikeouts, a personal best for the Iowa hurler. Kavan also pitched to one batter to get the save in game one.
At the plate, Stewart hit her second home run of the day and her third in three games. Texas also had a key steal of home from Kayden Henry.
The Vols threw one of the best pitchers in the sport in Karlyn Pickens, who has the record for fastest softball pitch in NCAA history at 79.4 miles per hour. But Texas stayed patient and took what the flame-thrower gave them. The Horns scratched out seven hits and four runs.
The defending national champs head to the Championship Series again where they will face the winner of the other WCWS semifinal between No. 1 seed Alabama and No. 11 seed Texas Tech. UT beat Tech last year in an epic three-game series to win the title.
FINAL: Texas 4, Tennessee 0
Texas on the brink
The Vols are down to their final inning and must face Teagan Kavan, who hasn’t allowed a seventh inning run since mid-April.
Horns lose Stewart to injury
A foul ball from Emma Clark hit Texas star first baseman Katie Stewart in the lip. After receiving some treatment the Junior left the game for evaluation.
Kavan sets personal best
Texas ace Teagan Kavan has struck out nine Tennessee batters to set a personal best in a game at the WCWS. Kavan was last year’s WCWS MVP.
Stewart his another HR
Katie Stewart has done it again. The hard-hitting first baseman hit her second homer of the day and third in three games. The blast to dead center puts Texas closer to the WCWS final series.
Horns six outs away
Tennessee got a hit off a miscommunication in the field by Texas. But Kavan slammed the door on any thoughts of a rally. Texas is six outs away from completing the semifinals sweep and advancing to the WCWS Championship Series. This was Stewarts 30th home run on the year, smashing the program record.
Another Kavan K ends inning
The Vols Emma Clark broke up Kavan’s no hitter. But a sixth strikeout shut down the inning.
Henry steals home
After her RBI, Martinez stole second base. On the play, the Tennessee fielder fell down and dropped the ball. A heads up Kayden Henry raced home for Texas’ second run. The Horns got another run on a Reese Atwood double.
Texas slaps way to lead
With someone that throws as hard as Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, slap hitting is often the best strategy. Viviana Martinez slapped a hit over third base to score Jaycie Nichols.
Teagan strikes out side
Kavan cruised the first time through the Vols lineup, striking out five of the nine batters she faced. Texas’ ace is perfect on the day after striking out the side in the third inning.
Texas strands two
Baserunners might be rare against fireball throwing Karlyn Pickens. Texas worked two walks of the Vols ace but couldn’t cash in the runs.
Another perfect Inning for Kavan
Texas’ ace worked a perfect second inning against Tennessee. Kavan will have to be near perfect for the entire game if she wants to match Pickens.
Pickens strikes out side
Karlyn Pickens, who has the record for fastest softball pitch in NCAA history at 79.4 miles per hour, shut down Texas in the first inning.
Kavan works a perfect first
Texas ace Teagan Kavan worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning to start the game.
Texas Longhorns Starting Lineup
Tennessee Volunteers Starting Lineup
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: RAPID RECAP: Texas tops Tennessee again, heads to WCWS final series
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
