Texas ties it: Clemson softball falls to Longhorns. Super regional finale on deck

Texas softball defeated Clemson 7-5 in 10 innings Friday night to force a winner-take-all game in their NCAA Tournament Super Regional series.

The winner of game three of the Austin Super Regional (9:30 p.m. Saturday) will advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

On Friday, Texas (50-11) broke a deadlock in the top of the 10th inning with a Kaydee Bennett sacrifice fly and an Ashton Maloney infield single that scored another run. Texas ace Teagan Kavan came on in relief during the fifth inning and did not allow another run. Kavan (24-5) struck out seven and earns the win.

Kavan is “an All-American for a reason. She made some key pitches at key times during the game,” Clemson coach John Rittman said. “We couldn’t get that timely one when we needed it.”

The Longhorns snapped Clemson’s 11-game win streak, ended their undefeated win streak when playing at night (12-1) and broke the Tigers’ unbeaten record after leading in the fourth inning.

“There’s a lot to process about tonight’s game but it’s over now,” Rittman said. “It’s one game take all to go to the World Series.”

Junior shortstop Leighann Goode hit a rocket over the left field wall to score two runs and give Texas an early lead. After several mental mistakes and an error at shortstop in game one, Goode was inserted into the role Friday and provided a major spark for Texas, both offensively and defensively.

Similar to how Texas fought in Thursday’s opener, Clemson (48-13) didn’t go away easily Friday.

Maddie Moore, with a confident bat flip, blasted a no-doubter over the center field wall in the bottom of the third. The Tigers star senior flipped the momentum of the game in Clemson’s favor.

After a hitless game one, the nation’s RBI leader Reese Atwood hit a go-ahead solo shot to left field in the top of the fourth. Now with 85 RBIs on the season, she could become the fourth player in NCAA Division I softball history to have multiple seasons with more than 90 RBIs.

Clemson’s success on offense continued.

Julia Brockenbrough had a single that scored Kennedy Ariail from second base. With the bases loaded, Maddie Moore drew a walk that would add another run in the bottom of the fourth.

Longhorns graduate student Joley Mitchell doubled off the wall to drive in two runs in the top of the fifth. Texas, once again, retook the lead.

Clemson’s Macey Cintron — ACC Freshman of the Year — then hit a solo homer to center field to tie the game again. The standout freshman has 15 home runs on the season.

“You just love it. You love the way they fight and compete,” Rittman said. “I know we are going to do the same thing (Saturday).”

Clemson-Texas softball super regional scores, schedule

All times Eastern; all games at McCombs Field in Austin

• Game 1: Clemson 7, Texas 4
• Game 2: Texas 7, Clemson 5 (10 inn.)
• Game 3: Saturday, May 24 at 9 p.m. (channel TBD)

This story was originally published May 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM.