SOFTBALL

Texas softball completes sweep through Florida, gets ready for big weekend in Big 12

Austin American-Statesman

Texas infielder Viviana Martinez and the Longhorns swept UCF in Big 12 play and topped nationally ranked Florida State in nonconference action to complete a 4-0 week in Florida. The No. 3 Longhorns travel to face No. 4 Oklahoma State this weekend.

With a challenging road trip to Oklahoma State looming, the Texas softball team wrapped up a four-game sweep through Florida with a 3-1 win over UCF on Sunday.

Texas (28-3, 8-1 Big 12) topped nationally ranked Florida State on Wednesday before beating UCF in all three conference games.

Much like the Longhorns’ victory over Florida State earlier in the week, catcher Reese Atwood and pitcher Mac Morgan carried the team to a win Sunday. Atwood’s solo home run to begin the top of the second gave the Longhorns a 1-0 lead, which proved enough for Morgan (8-0) to stay perfect on the season.

Morgan held the Knights to just two hits — both singles — and did not issue a walk or hit a batter before giving way to Sophia Simpson to start the fifth.

UCF scored a run against Simpson and had the bases loaded with two away in the fifth, but freshman Teagan Kavan came on to end the threat and close out the game.

“We had some good pitching throughout the weekend along with some great defense and some timely hitting from different people throughout the lineup,” Texas coach Mike White said. “Anytime you can go on the road and open the week with a big win at FSU and then win three games this weekend, it was a big week.”

Ranked No. 3 entering the week in the USA Today/NFSCA poll, Texas opens its series against No. 4 Oklahoma State (26-5, 7-2) Thursday at 6 p.m. in Stillwater, Okla.