It can be hard to find perspective in the moments after a championship loss, and Texas was thrust into that position on Thursday night following a defeat at the hands of rival Oklahoma in the Women’s College World Series championship.
But coach Mike White seemed to snap pretty quickly into that mode in the aftermath.
What he wanted to underscore was just how much his team achieved, even if it ultimately came up a little short on the biggest stage of all. He said casual fans might not recognize all of those achievements.
“They don’t know all the things we set, all the records we set this year and the improvement in the program,” White said. “Like I said, leave the jersey in a better place.”
The jersey is most definitely in a better place.
After spending much of the season as the nation’s No. 1 team, Texas proved its a softball program that is here to stay. Just ask Oklahoma, which got a dogfight despite scores that read 8-3 and 8-4 in the championship series.
For White, it was all about how his squad held itself accountable.
“I think that they’re pushing each other, getting better,” White said. “This is the closest team that we’ve had. I think that’s due to the seniors pulling the team together and making sure we’re pulling everything in the right way at the same time. That’s what I hope they remember.”
Back to those accomplishments. Despite falling to Oklahoma in Oklahoma City and watching the Sooners collect the Big 12 Tournament title, Texas was the program that claimed the regular-season Big 12 crown.
It was the first conference title for the Longhorns since 2010. That’s putting yourself back on the map.
“I’m so proud of them for how they conducted themselves on and off the field everywhere we go,” White said. “That means a lot to me.”
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