The Walk-Off: Texas evens Red River Rivalry Series, Oregon out slugs Washington

By
Brady Vernon
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Crash Kamon/Softball America

Top 25 Matchups

No. 6 Texas 2, No. 1 Oklahoma 1 

If you wanted drama you sure got it. Let’s start at the bottom of the six. Katie Stewart, who had hit the go-ahead hit earlier in the game, stepped up with the bases loaded and no outs. She lined a ball off the top of the right field wall for a two-RBI single…well for a second. Patty Gasso asked for a review and it was very clear Victoria Hunter left second base early. She was out, Stewart popped up and Oklahoma proceeded to keep the deficit at one.

The momentum certainly felt like it was in Oklahoma’s favor again. Until Kayden Henry made a diving catch to open the frame. The ever-clutch Kinzie Hansen stepped up and singled to keep the game going with two outs. Rylie Boone smoked a ball over the head of Henry and pinch-runner Maya Bland home. Viviana Martinez tossed the relay throw to Reese Atwood, who hung on to make the tag for the final out. Oklahoma challenged for obstruction but the call was upheld.

 

No. 3 Georgia 3, No. 5 Tennessee 2 

The Bulldogs needed a bat or two to step up to help even the series with Tennessee. They happened to be a pair of hitters we likely didn’t expect. After delivering the lone run for Georiga on Friday, Emily Digby dropped a two-run double down the right-field line against Charli Orsini to open the scoring. The Lady Vols answered to tie the game. Sarah Gordon, the reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, who was starting just her 18th game of the season hit a lead-off go-ahead homer in the fifth that eventually became the winning run. It’s been a tough go for Gordon as a Bulldog but this moment may be one to help right the ship. Shelby Walters gave Georgia 4.2 scoreless innings in relief to even the series.

No. 11 Missouri 12, No. 17 Arkansas 3 

The Tigers had an explosion they’d been waiting for, and it wasn’t solely Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold. While those two combined for four RBIs, Maddie Gallagher and Kara Daly protected them with four hits and five RBIs. The Razorbacks started to get a bit of offense going after going down eight but Marissa McCann closed the game with 1.2 hitless innings to force a rubber match on Sunday.

No. 15 Mississippi State 4, No. 25 South Carolina 0

Another excellent outing for Aspen Wesley. Mississippi State blanked South Carolina for the second straight day behind after Wesley matched her career-high nine strikeouts. The righty held the Gamecocks to two hits throughout the game. The Bulldogs have only allowed five hits and two walks in the series. The top of the order Sierra Sacco, Nadia Barbary and Madisyn Kennedy drove in three of the four runs.

No. 10 Florida 4, No. 8 LSU 2

Reagan Walsh is on pace to crush her career highs this year. Her smashed 13th homer of the season on a Sydney Berzon changeup for a three-run bomb and cap a four-run sixth inning for Florida after the top of the order got things rolling. Keagan Rothrock didn’t have many strikeouts but carried a no-hitter into the sixth.

Softball Around America

Oregon 9, No. 9 Washingon 8

There were plenty of home runs and rain in Eugene or I guess it was raining home runs when the game wasn’t delayed. Vallery Wong crushed two home runs, while Hanna Delgado and Ariel Carlson also went deep for the Ducks. But Washington clawed back from a six-run deficit behind Brooke Nelson’s 4.1 innings in relief and her second home run of the game. Washington loaded the bases in the sixth but left the tying run on third and ended up coming up short in the end.

No. 21 Florida State 8, Louisville 4 

The Cardinals started the game hot, taking an early lead. However, a very strange fifth inning swung the momentum back to Florida State. Louisville lost a ball in the sun, committed an error and let a ball drop in the outfield after a miscommunication that led to three runs with two outs for the Noles. Florida State added four more runs in the final two innings to have a chance at the series win on Sunday.

No. 14 Texas A&M 10, Kentucky 9 

The Aggies scored 10 runs in the first two innings and had a seven-run lead. Although the Wildcats didn’t go down without a fight chipping away at the deficit through the seventh inning. Rylea Smith hit a two-out single against Emiley Kennedy to drive in two runs and make it a one-run lead but she was cut down at second base to end the game. Texas A&M has now won four SEC series.

Minnesota 14, Ohio State 6 (F/6)
Minnesota 12, Ohio State 11

It was quite the day at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. In the first game, the Gophers entered the bottom of the six down two runs and came out with a run-rule win after the 10-run inning capped by Brooklyn Jones’ grand slam. Minnesota trailed 11-3 entering the sixth needing a run to not get run-ruled themselves. The Gophers scored five to trim the deficit to three. Morgan DeBord hit a three-run homer to tie it. Addison Leschber hit a walk-off single with the bases loaded.

Nebraska 10, No. 21 Penn State 2 (F/5)

The Cornhuskers have found consistency again. Nebraska scored seven in the fifth inning to earn a run-rule win over the Nittany Lions. Billie Andrews hit a two-run home run to end the game and Peyton Cody had three RBIs.

FAU 4, Charlotte 2

After being run-ruled on Friday, FAU bounced back to even the series. The Owls fell behind early until Kamryn Jackson and Jesiana Mora hit a pair of solo home runs. An unearned run and Kylie Hammonds RBI double gave FAU the lead. Ainsley Lambert earned the save with two scoreless innings.

Players of the Day

Mallorie Black and Sara Beth Allen, Georgia Tech

Black hit three home runs in total on Saturday between the Yellow Jackets’ doubleheader, driving in seven runs against LA Tech. Sara Beth Allen did that in one game with three blasts in the 10-9 win over Auburn.

Lexi McDonald, Oklahoma State

McDonald isn’t an everyday starter but sure made her case to be one on Saturday. McDonald hit a solo home run and then a grand slam to put the run rule in effect.

Katie Wingert, Rutgers

Wingert hit a grand slam and a three-run bomb in the win over Wisconsin. With those two home runs she is currently tied for the program record with 40 home runs.

Plays of the Day

Milestone Moments

 

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Brady Vernon

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