Season ends for Arizona Softball with tough loss to Texas

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Despite a great run in the postseason, it is the end of the road for Arizona Softball (39-22, 8-16) as the Wildcats fall to Texas. 

All good things must come to an end at some point, and for Arizona Softball, that was, unfortunately, the case as the Wildcats met their fate, falling to Texas 5-2 in an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon.

Turning to Hanah Bowen who got the start on the bump for the Wildcats, Hanah pitched fairly well all things considered, despite lasting just four innings. She would end her night, surrendering three runs on four hits before being replaced by Devyn Netz.

Unfortunately, both Bowen and Netz gave up a combined five runs to the Longhorns which proved to be the difference maker.

Arizona’s offense would rally a bit in the fourth inning, plating two runs to take the lead, but unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn’t hold on long as Texas surged in the fourth and fifth inning to escape with the win.

Facing a bit of a pitcher’s duel early on, Arizona Softball would pull ahead 2-1 briefly, but Texas rallied for a big win in the elimination game.

So far in Oklahoma City, Arizona Softball has looked strong, playing competitively against a very talented Oklahoma State team before knocking out conference foe Oregon State in an elimination game on Friday evening.

Hoping to keep their momentum going heading into Sunday, the Wildcats would have a tough challenge on their hands as they took on the Longhorns.

From the start, it would be a pitcher’s duel as both teams were scoreless after the first two innings of play. But unfortunately, that would not last long as Texas would break the 0-0 tie via a Courtney Day home run that made it 1-0 Longhorns.

Arizona would then respond in a big way the very next inning when the Cats plated two runs after a few timely hits would set up Carlie Scupin who then singled off of a 1-0 pitch to score Izzy Pacho and Allie Skaggs to give the Cats the 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, the Wildcats’ lead would not last long as the Longhorns hit a three-run home run in the bottom half of the next inning to regain the lead at 4-2.

Texas would add an insurance run in the fifth inning after a flyout scored a run to extend the Longhorns’ lead to 5-2.

Needing a huge response, unfortunately, the Wildcats’ offense would be held in check as Texas was able to come away with the 5-2 win.

Where does Arizona Softball go from here?

With the loss, Arizona falls to 39-22 (8-16) on the year and their season officially comes to an end. Despite finishing tied for last in the conference this year, the Wildcats had a tremendous run to end the season and have a lot to build on in the future!