Replay: No. 1 Texas softball beats Northwestern to advance in NCAA Tournament
Texas wrapped up a perfect weekend at the NCAA Tournament's Austin Regional with a 7-0 win over Northwestern Saturday at McCombs Field. After beating Siena 5-0 on Friday behind a complete-game no-hitter from Mac Morgan and walloping Northwestern 14-2 on Saturday, the Longhorns leaned on a one-hitter by freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan to wrap up their 3-0 record.
Final: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
Texas secures its host status in the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals next week at McCombs Field with a resounding win over Big 10 regular-season champion Northwestern. Freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan earned the complete-game win after giving up just one hit and striking out a career-high 12 batters. The Longhorns will face either Texas A&M or Texas State, who begin their game in College Station at 2 p.m.
Middle 7: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
Three more outs, and Texas secures its host status in the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals next week at McCombs Field. The Longhorns will face either Texas A&M or Texas State, who begin their game in College Station at 2 p.m.
End 6: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
The good news? Freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan now has 10 strikeouts, which breaks her previous season-high of nine Ks set against Penn State in March. The bad news? She gives up her first hit of the game when Angela Zedik launches a two-out double into left field. There will be no no-hitters at McCombs today two days after Mac Morgan tossed a no-no-against Siena.
Middle 6: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
The Longhorns are up to 11 hits but they don't add another run. The story of the game remains freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan, who's on pace for the 57th no-hitter in school history and just the school's fifth complete-game no-hitter in an NCAA tournament game.
End 5: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
Freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan remains on pace for the 57th no-hitter in school history and just the school's fifth complete-game no-hitter in an NCAA tournament game. She also has nine strikeouts, which ties her season and career-high set March 4 against Penn State.
Middle 5: Texas 7, Northwestern 0
Texas tacks on another run when Alyssa Washington scores from third on a grounder by Bella Dayton. Freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan is back in the circle for the Longhorns as she tries to complete the 57th no-hitter in school history and just the school's fifth complete-game no-hitter in an NCAA tournament game. The Longhorns keep closing in on next week's Super Regionals at McCombs Field.
End 4: Texas 6, Northwestern 0
Texas freshman Teagan Kavan remains on pace to throw the 57th no-hitter in school history and just the school's fifth complete-game no-hitter in an NCAA tournament game after again retiring the Wildcats. She's struck out six and walked two while completely baffling Northwestern.
Middle 4: Texas 6, Northwestern 0
Vivi Martinez laces a triple into right field that scores Ashton Maloney, giving the Longhorns some of that cushion. These Horns can move on the base paths. Now, all eyes on freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan, who's trying to throw the second no-hitter in the past three games. Mac Morgan tossed the no-no against Siena in Friday's NCAA Tournament opener.
End 3: Texas 5, Northwestern 0
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan has now retired seven straight batters after working through a quick third inning. She still has a no-hitter going. At this point, Texas just wants to add some insurance and cruise into the Super Regionals next week at McCombs Field.
Middle 3: Texas 5, Northwestern 0
Northwestern's Riley Grudzielanek walks two batters but it doesn't cost the Wildcats after a dart from centerfielder Ayana Lindsey catches Katie Stewart at the plate for the third out. Seven base-on-balls issued by Northwestern today; that's not the way to spring an upset of the No. 1 team in the nation.
End 2: Texas 5, Northwestern 0
Texas freshman pitcher Teagan Kavan has found her groove. She forces a week grounder then fans two Wildcats, and she has yet to allow a hit.
Middle 2: Texas 5, Northwestern 0
Northwestern ace Ashley Miller doesn't last long after walking five batters and giving up four hits. Riley Grudzielanek comes in and gives up a hit but escapes any further damage. The Longhorns have a cushion, a deep set of arms and a clear path to hosting next week's Super Regionals.
Top 2: Texas 5, Northwestern 0
Mia Scott sends a souvenir into the right-field bleachers for a 3-run homer The All-Big 12 third baseman crushed that one, and Texas already has a clear path into next week's Super Regionals.
End 1: Texas 2, Northwestern 0
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan shows a little bit of nerves in her first NCAA Tournament game, walking the leadoff hitter and plunking another Wildcat before a brief meeting with pitching coach Pattie Ruth Taylor. But no hits and no runs, which is the bottom line.
Middle 1: Texas 2, Northwestern 0
With the Wildcats designated as the home team, Texas gets first crack at the plate and makes it count. A 2-RBI single by Katie Stewart gives the Longhorns the lead, but things could have been worse for Northwestern and pitcher Ashley Miller.
Teagan Kavan, Ashley Miller meet in battle of aces
Texas and Northwestern could engage in a pitcher's duel, based on the announced starters. Northwestern has been holding ace Ashley Miller for this game, considering the Big 10 pitcher of the year has worked just one inning this weekend. She boasts a 17-5 record and a 1.37 ERA with 169 strikeouts and 82 walks in 153.1 innings. Opponents are hitting just .162 against the graduate student. Texas will counter with freshman Teagan Kavan, who leads the Longhorns with a 17-2 record and has a 2.00 ERA along with 101 strikeouts and 32 walks in 101.1 innings. Kavan, who has yet to pitch in the Austin Regionals, allows foes to hit .179.
More: No. 1 Texas softball leaning on deep pitching staff to make its NCAA Tournament run
Texas vs Northwestern start time, TV info, location
Start time: Noon
Location: McCombs Field, Austin, Texas
TV channel: ESPN
More: Mac Morgan was darn near perfect in Texas' NCAA regional softball win | Bohls
Texas vs Northwestern preview
Texas: The Longhorns (49-7), the Big 12 regular-season champions and the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, beat Siena 5-0 Friday behind a no-hitter from Mac Morgan and run-ruled Northwestern 14-2 on Saturday behind four home runs.
Northwestern: The Big 10 regular-season champion Wildcats (35-12) couldn't handle Texas' offense in Saturday's first game but set up a chance at the Austin Regional title and a potential spot in next week's Super Regional round by beating Saint Francis 4-1 in their second game on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Replay: Texas beats Northwestern in 2024 NCAA Austin Softball Regional
