Texas wins classic thriller against Stanford to advance to WCWS championship series

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.

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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

That put Texas up 1-0 and was enough on a night when ace Teagan Kavan was absolutely on fire in the circle.

Kavan threw her second complete game in the WCWS against Stanford, having also beaten the Cardinal in the opening game. On Monday night, she gave up just one hit in seven innings, recording seven strikeouts and giving up just one walk.

With the win, Texas earned an extra day of rest and advanced to the championship series at the WCWS. The Longhorns will face either Florida or Oklahoma, with those two programs set to square off in a winner-take-all game on Tuesday.

Florida beat Oklahoma 9-3 on Monday to force the winner-take-all game.