Texas softball vs. Florida: A preview, prediction for Women's College World Series game
Behind freshman Teagan Kavan’s dominant performance in the circle against Stanford on Thursday, the Texas softball team not only earned a second game in the winners’ bracket, but also received a day off in the Women’s College World Series.
The top-seeded Longhorns (53-8), now 1-0 in the double-elimination bracket, will next face No. 4 Florida (52-13) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Let’s take a look at the matchup:
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Who will pitch for Texas against a dynamic Florida offense that led the SEC in batting average (.335) and ranked fourth in the nation in runs per game (7.8), just behind Texas and Oklahoma? Kavan certainly earned consideration after holding Stanford to one hit in a 4-0, complete-game win Thursday. But Texas coach Mike White hasn’t started a pitcher in back-to-back games all season, and he has lots of other options, starting with Citlaly Gutierrez and Mac Morgan, whom he called the “unsung hero” of the super regional win over Texas A&M. … After rapping out two hits and two RBIs against Stanford ace NiJaree Canady on Thursday, Texas freshman center fielder Kayden Henry is 10-for-21 with eight runs scored in seven playoff games. … Texas is 4-5 against Florida all time and won the last meeting between the programs 3-0 in the 2013 WCWS.
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About the Gators: Star power fuels traditional power
After Kavan’s impressive WCWS debut, Florida freshman Keagan Rothrock took her own star turn on college softball’s biggest stage by outdueling Oklahoma State All-American Lexi Kilfoyl in a 1-0 win Thursday night. She’ll probably throw again Saturday against Texas since Rothrock has emerged as Florida’s workhorse. She’s tied for the most wins in the nation with Texas State’s Jessica Mullins at 31, tied for most complete games at 25 and third nationally in innings pitched at 240.2. … This game features a matchup between the two best offensive catchers in college softball with Texas sophomore Reese Atwood, a USA Softball national player of the year finalist, and Florida sophomore Jocelyn Erickson. Erickson transferred to Florida from Oklahoma in the offseason and earned the SEC’s player of the year honor after batting .383 with 13 home runs. Her 80 RBIs rank second in the nation behind only Atwood’s 90. … Florida began its softball program in the same year as Texas, 1997, and has won two national titles in 11 WCWS appearances, nine SEC regular-season titles and at least 40 games in all but one full season since 2002.
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Prediction
Texas, 6-5. These two offensive juggernauts combined for almost 16 runs a game this season, and the batters on both sides could heat up a bit after enduring arguably the two best pitchers in the game in Stanford’s Canady and Oklahoma State’s Kilfoyl.
What’s next after this game?
The winner will be in the driver’s seat for a berth in the best-of-three finals next week since it will have a one-game edge against whoever it faces in the semifinals. The loser will have no room for error against either Alabama or Duke, who face off Friday.
Saturday's game
Texas (53-8) vs. Florida (52-13), 6 p.m., ESPN
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas softball vs. Florida: A preview, prediction for WCWS game
