Texas moved on to the championship series at the Women’s College Series on Monday night in thrilling fashion, breaking open a 0-0 game through the first six innings against Stanford in the final frame.
Second baseman Alyssa Washington was the hero after a brilliant bit of base-running.
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The game-winning rally started when Washington reached first base on an error on a hit to second. Designated player Joley Mitchell then doubled to put runners at second and third with no outs.
The Longhorns would punch home the winning run moments later on a strange sequence.
Right fielder Ashton Maloney dropped a bunt just inside the third base line, but Stanford immediately fielded it and went to hold the runner at third. Noticing a bit of a gap, the Stanford catcher fired to third and seemingly caught Washington in a pickle. But the third baseman charged hard at Washington and couldn’t catch her. A last-second flip to the catcher was too high and Washington slid in safely under the tag for the game-winning run.
“It was just whatever it takes in that moment,” Washington said. “That’s what it takes in these games like this, you just need that one run in games like this. So it was just ‘whatever it takes’ running through my mind.”
The win came on a night when Texas had only five hits and had trouble mustering much against Stanford ace NiJaree Canady. It was a scrap, through and through.
But the Longhorns were ready for it mentally.
“It’s just knowing that every game from now on is going to be a dogfight, and just playing for each other,” Washington said. “That’s what all of it takes right now. We love on each other, we celebrate everything just as hard. So yeah it’s just whatever it takes and playing together.”
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan throws one-hitter complete game
In a game where a single run was the difference, Texas made sure it gave itself a terrific chance thanks to a stellar start in the circle by pitcher Teagan Kavan.
Kavan, who threw a complete-game shutout against Stanford in the opener at the WCWS, was even better on Monday night.
“I had no doubt that we’d pull through, so I just wanted to keep us in it,” Kavan said. “I had no doubt in us the whole time.”
Teagan threw seven full innings and gave up only one hit. She struck out seven while walking only one, keeping Stanford at arm’s length throughout the contest, despite the lack of offense on the other side for much of the game.
“They just told me that if I kept us in this we’d pull through and they got me, they had my back the whole time,” Kavan said. “So just throw my game, throw my game and they’d come through.”
Now into the championship series, Texas will be riding high with plenty of confidence. Kavan is a big reason why.
“It’s amazing. I’m so proud of Teagan,” Washington said. “Just seeing how she’s grown and how she’s overcame adversity, I could not be any more proud of her. I love her so much.”
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