After defeating Oregon State University Friday night to stay alive in the Women’s College World Series, the Arizona softball team took the field in Oklahoma City looking to carry that momentum into Saturday against the University of Texas at Austin. 

Hanah Bowen took the mound for the Wildcats. She and Texas starter Hailey Dolcini traded a pair of scoreless frames before the Longhorns struck first with a solo home run to open the bottom half of the third inning. 

Arizona countered with a couple of runs in the fourth inning where Carlie Scupin hit a two-run single with the bases loaded. Texas reliever Estelle Czech came into the game in the fourth inning, getting Texas out of the jam to keep it a 2-1 game. 

Bowen allowed a walk and a single the next half inning when she was removed from the game for Devyn Netz. She recorded a strikeout for the first out before JJ Smith lifted a three-run home run to right-center to give the Longhorns a 4-2 lead. 

Bowen finished the night allowing 3 runs on four hits over three innings with two strikeouts and one walk. 

Czech retired Arizona in order in the fifth and sixth innings as the Longhorns added 1 run to make it a 5-2 game. 

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With three outs to go for the Wildcats, Paige Dimler led off the frame with an 11-pitch at-bat resulting in a single. Blaise Biringer then flew out and Sophia Carroll grounded into a double play to end the game and end Arizona’s run. 

From starting 0-8 in conference play to making the Women’s College World Series, this was a run by the Wildcats that shouldn’t be overlooked in Caitlin Lowe’s first year as head coach. 

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