AUSTIN, Texas – In a thrilling showdown, junior pinch hitter Victoria Hunter propelled No. 3 Texas Softball to a 4-3 victory over No. 19 Arizona State on Saturday night. Her two-out, two-run home run in the sixth inning secured a decisive Game 3 in the NCAA Austin Super Regional at McCombs Field.
Game Highlights
- Hunter’s home run came with senior right fielder Ashton Maloney on second base.
- The Longhorns improved their season record to 46-11 and 7-1 during postseason play.
- This victory ended Arizona State’s impressive 10-game win streak.
Key Performers
Senior pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez played a pivotal role in the win. Gutierrez, who came in to relieve junior pitcher Teagan Kavan in the bottom of the third, pitched five innings. She allowed only one run on three hits while striking out six batters, marking her second-highest strikeout total of the season.
Game Progression
- Arizona State initially took the lead, scoring in both the second and third innings to go up 2-0.
- Texas responded in the fifth inning with two runs, tying the game at 2-2.
- After Arizona regained the lead at 3-2, Hunter’s home run secured Texas’s victory.
Historical Context
The Longhorns improved to 9-2 in NCAA Super Regional Game 2s, and 5-1 under head coach Mike White. This win marked Texas’s first victory of the season when trailing after the second inning, improving their record to 23-0 when leading after six innings.
Upcoming Matchup
The Longhorns and Sun Devils will face off again on Sunday, May 24, at 3:30 p.m. CT for a winner-takes-all clash, which will determine the team advancing to the Women’s College World Series. The game will air on ESPN with commentary from Kevin Brown, Amanda Scarborough, and Alyssa Lang.
With their performance, Texas now holds a 16-12 record in NCAA Super Regional games and a home record of 23-7 this season. Key players like Kayden Henry and Ashton Maloney have also made noteworthy contributions, extending their on-base streaks to ten and seven games, respectively.
