Mike White: Texas needs to make adjustments before Game 2 vs. Oklahoma

Texas had a 1-0 lead against Oklahoma after striking first in the top of the first inning. Then, the Sooners found their offense — and Mike White saw some things he didn’t like.

Oklahoma rattled off 10 unanswered runs in the first three innings to take a 10-1 lead into the fourth. That’s when White spoke with ESPN’s Holly Rowe about what might’ve gone wrong for the Longhorns. He said when the Sooners got hot, Texas didn’t have an answer to slow them down, and that needs to change for Game 2.

“I think we’re just rushing the game,” White said. “We’re letting the moment get the best of us, which we haven’t done to this point. We just want to rush things. Just trying to get them to slow down. The game’s going to come to us. Right now, we’ve got our backs against the wall, obviously. We’ve got to show some fight and learn some stuff and hopefully come back tomorrow.”

Mike White: ‘We’ve got to try and save our arms a bit’ for Game 2 vs. Oklahoma

White also made four pitching changes in the first three innings of the game. Hailey Dolcini got things started for Texas, but White pulled her before the end of the first inning. One of his other options, Estelle Czech, didn’t get into the circle, and he joked it looked as though he’d save her for Thursday.

On that same note, he acknowledged saving arms is important with the powerful Oklahoma offense looming again in less than 24 hours. But Texas will also have to make adjustments if they want to force a Game 3.

“We’ve got to come back tomorrow,” White said. “We’ve got to try and save our arms a little bit. I’m sure Dolcini will be ready to go. We’ve got to look at it, we’ve got to make some adjustments. Obviously, they’re really tough. They’re making adjustments. That’s what makes them a great team.”

Game 2 between Oklahoma and Texas is scheduled for Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.