Mike White on what Texas needs to beat Stanford: 'We gotta make sure we hit our locations'

In game No. 13 of the Women’s College World Series, the Texas Longhorns are in a defensive scuffle with the Stanford Cardinal. Heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the score is tied 0-0.

Before the bats and balls started flying in the bottom of the fourth, the ESPN team covering the Women’s College World Series chatted with Longhorns head coach Mike White. The coach addressed how facing an opponent that they have seen a handful of times this season impacts Texas’ pitching and what he would like to see out of his starting pitcher, Tegan Kavan, to end the game.

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“I mean, we played them a few times this year,” White said. “And they’re tough, you know, especially with Canady out there; she’s throwing a good game right now. So, we gotta make sure we hit our locations and stay away from the free passes.”

Kavan has put together four scoreless innings thanks to sound pitching and some impressive play on the back end courtesy of her outfield and the rest of the Longhorns’ defense. So what does White need from his ace pitcher to end the game?

“Keep working ahead and not leaving them opportunities. I think she’s doing that pretty well right now,” closed White.

Heading into the sixth inning, the game is still tied 0-0. If Texas is able to break the tie and finish the game victorious, they will punch their ticket to this year’s championship series and be two wins away from being crowned champions of the college softball world.

Texas punches ticket to WCWS

It took seven innings in a defensive battle that was spotlighted by terrific pitching, but finally, Texas broke through to knock off Stanford and advance to the Women’s College World Series championship series.

The Longhorns plated a run in the most unlikely of fashions in the top of the seventh inning, scoring on a play at the plate after a runner got caught in a pickle.

Texas got the game-winning rally started right off the rip in the top of the seventh inning, with second baseman Alyssa Washington reaching first base on an error on a hit to second. Designated player Joley Mitchell then doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs.

Then things got crazy.

A bunt from right fielder Ashton Maloney trickled narrowly up the third base line. Stanford fielded it and caught the runner at third in a pickle. A throw from the catcher to the third baseman allowed Washington to take off toward home. The throw was late and Washington was able to duck under the tag to score the game’s first run.

THE SQUEEZE FOR THE LEAD!!!! 😱#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @TexasSoftball pic.twitter.com/w8WCVxrIv1

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 4, 2024