AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Longhorns softball team is in the national semifinals at the Women’s College World Series.
JJ Smith crushed a 3-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to give Texas the lead and pitcher Estelle Czech was brilliant in relief for a 5-2 win over Arizona on Sunday at OGE Energy Field.
Czech came in with one out in the fourth inning and quelled a potential Arizona rally. Taking over for Hailey Dolcini after a 2-run single, Czech struck out two hitters to keep the damage at two runs for Arizona. At the time, that gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead, but they didn’t have it for long.
After Alyssa Washington walked and Mary Iakopo singled in the bottom half of the frame, Smith hammered a 1-0 pitch over the right-center field wall to give the Longhorns a 4-2 lead and all the cushion that Czech needed to finish the job.
Texas added a run in the fifth inning on a Bella Dayton sacrifice fly to deep right field to score Janae Jefferson. Courtney Day drew the game’s first tally for the Longhorns with a solo home run to left-center in the bottom of the third inning.
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Texas’ Alyssa Popelka (16) bunts against Arizona during the fifth inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Lauren Burke makes a catch in left field for an out during the sixth inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Estelle Czech (22) celebrates after her team defeated Arizona in an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Janae Jefferson (2) slides into second base before Arizona infielder Sophia Carroll, left, can make a tag during the fifth inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Janae Jefferson, right, gestures “safe” after sliding into second base before Arizona infielder Sophia Carroll could make a tag during the fifth inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas starting pitcher Hailey Dolcini (27) pitches in the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Courtney Day, second from top left, celebrates a home run with her team at home plate during the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Courtney Day high fives head coach Mike White following a home run during the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Courtney Day (15) celebrates a home run as she rounds second base during the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Janae Jefferson (2) makes the catch at first ahead of Arizona’s Sophia Carroll (00) for an out in the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas outfielder Isabella Dayton (6) makes a catch for an out during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Arizona on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Arizona’s Carlie Scupin (20) makes a catch for the out during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Texas on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Arizona’s Carlie Scupin (20) pushes Texas’ Isabella Dayton, right, out of the way to make a catch for an out as she runs to second base during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) -
Texas’ Isabella Dayton (6) beats the throw to first baseman Arizona’s Allie Skaggs (9) during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Czech allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings, a single to Paige Dimler in the seventh inning. Czech faced the minimum in the inning, however, and the game ended on a smooth double play started by Washington, then turned at second by Jefferson with a strong throw to Smith at first.
With the win, Czech moved her record to 12-1 on the year. Six different players had hits for Texas
It’s the first time the Longhorns have been this far in the WCWS since 2013 when they lost to No. 7 Tennesse 2-1. The Longhorns were seeded No. 4 that year and finished the WCWS 2-2. They’re now 2-1 at the WCWS and will face a familiar foe in the semifinals Monday — No. 7 Oklahoma State.
Texas (45-20-1) needs to beat the Cowgirls twice on Monday to advance to the WCWS championship series June 8-10. The first game is scheduled for 6 p.m., if the Longhorns win, the teams will play another game shortly afterward. No. 1 Oklahoma faces No. 5 UCLA in the other semifinal where the Bruins have the tall task of having to beat the Sooners twice to advance.
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