Defensive collapse costs Oklahoma State a shot at WCWS final in loss to Texas in NCAA softball tournament
An errantly thrown softball rolled helplessly through the outfield grass and with it went Oklahoma State’s pursuit of a program-defining moment.
A dazzling defensive team all season, the seventh-seeded Cowgirls committed two errors on one play, allowing three Texas runners to score, propelling the unseeded Longhorns to an unlikely 6-5 victory in a do-or-die Women’s College World Series semifinal game Monday night at Hall of Fame Stadium.
This marks the first Women's College World Series appearance for the Texas Longhorns.
OSU came into the day needing one win in two possible games to secure a spot in the WCWS championship series against Bedlam rival and top-seeded Oklahoma.
But the Cowgirls suffered a 5-0 loss to Texas in the first game of the evening, then let a 5-0 lead disappear over the final four innings of the second game to see their season end after a heartbreaking defensive collapse.
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OSU built a 5-0 lead with an RBI groundout by Chyenne Factor in the first inning, then two-run homers by Kiley Naomi and Karli Petty in the second and third innings, respectively.
Texas began its rally with a three-run homer from Courtney Day — her second in the two-game duel — in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 5-3.
Texas’ Jordyn Whitaker walked to begin the fifth inning, and Mia Scott reached with a one-out single. Bella Dayton roped a single to right field that was bobbled by OSU’s Karli Petty, allowing Whitaker to score. Petty’s throw to the infield was cut off by first baseman Hayley Busby, who threw toward second base, where Scott had drifted too far off the bag.
A good throw would’ve led to an out, but the throw was wide and bounced into center field. Scott scored from second and Dayton came all the way around from first to give Texas a 6-5 lead.
From there, OSU managed only one baserunner — Chelsea Alexander, who was wiped out by an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fifth — while Texas ace pitcher Hailey Dolcini closed the door on the Cowgirls’ season.
Texas will face OU in the best-of-three championship series, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Texas Longhorns beat Oklahoma State Cowgirls to reach WCWS finals
