If the Oklahoam softball team wants to win a fifth straight national championship, the Sooners will have to stave off elimination.
The team OU beat in the title series in 2024 took Saturday's second-round game, 4-2, sending the Sooners to the elimination bracket.
Kayden Henry hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to provide Texas with a 3-2 lead. Only her fourth of the year, she pulled it down the right field line. Joley Mitchell added an insurance run with a solo home run to left-centerfield as the first Texas batter in the sixth inning.
In the seventh, a pitch hit Ella Parker with one out and Nelly McEnroe-Marinas blooped a single to right field, providing the Sooners with runners at first and second base. But Teagan Kavan struck out both Gabbie Garcia and Hannah Coor swinging to end the game.
Sam Landry took the loss for OU. She allowed eight hits and two walks, while hitting a batter and striking out two. Kavan picked up the win for the Longhorns, giving up seven hits and striking out seven.
The last time Texas had beaten Oklahoma in the Sooner State before Saturday came in 2014. The Longhorns had never beaten Oklahoma in the Women's College World Series before. Texas' entered 0-5 against Oklahoma in the WCWS since 2022, but 8-0 against every other team.
Oklahoma will seek to stay alive in an elimination game against Oregon on Sunday at 7 p.m. The Ducks are coached by former catcher and assistant head coach Melyssa Lombardi.