Texas softball is heading back to Oklahoma City for the third time in four seasons.
Its super regional win over Clemson was neither clean nor pretty over the three-game stretch, but Texas was able to weather the storm and advance over a Tigers team that looked like it was on a mission heading into the weekend series in Austin.
On Saturday, Texas struck first after scoreless first with a three-run second inning, giving the Longhorns an early lead. After the Tigers stole a run back in the third, Texas was able to get two more runs before Clemson responded with two of its own. But it was an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth that proved to be the difference, as a Julia Knowler home run in the top of seventh made it a one-run game before Texas was able to ultimately close the door and get the win over the scrappy Tigers.
Ultimately, it’s the kind of iron-sharpens-iron performance Texas may have needed after breezing through the regional round of the tournament. Texas will go into Oklahoma City with two gutty wins under its belt after going down 1-0 to Clemson, and everyone in the batting order and the circle pitched in for the series win.
Now, Texas and Mike White turn their sights toward the ultimate goal: The first Women’s College World Series title in program history. The Longhorns were runners-up to the dynastic Sooners last year, and Oklahoma still stands in their path.
For now, however, it’s about celebrating another step, as every victory matters at this point.
Watch Texas vs Clemson in Austin Super Regional on Fubo (free trial)
USA TODAY Sports tracked Clemson vs Texas’ super regional showdown. Relive the action below.
Texas softball score vs. Clemson
Texas vs Clemson softball final score, highlights
Texas wins, advances to Women’s College World Series for third time in four years
A comebacker to Morgan ends Clemson’s comeback hopes. Gutty effort for the Tigers, who enter next season with a bright future but will miss their first trip to Oklahoma City by just one game. Texas, meanwhile, will head to OKC for the third time in four years after finishing as runners up last season. Tremendous effort by both squads all night.
Top of seventh inning, Texas leads 6-5
Texas gets second out as runner advances
Vieria chops a ball to third and Scott guns her down at first. The runner advances to second, and it will be Collins looking to drive in the tying run.
Mike White staying with Morgan as tying run gets on
Following the homer, Clemson draws a four-pitch walk to put the tying run on and the go-ahead run at the plate. White is staying with Morgan, and it looks like he’s going to live or die by his drop-ball dealer.
Julia Knowler homers, makes in one-run game
Julia Knowler makes it a one-run game! After a lengthy at-bat with Morgan, Knowler homers to dead center to make it a one-run game. That quip about us not being far off from the player at the plate mattering? Well we’re at that time now.
Texas gets an out after allowing a base runner
Texas allows the leadoff runner on with an error, suffering some defensive woes of its own. However, Moore then grounds out to second, advancing the runner. Still a three-run game, so the player at the plate doesn’t matter yet. But we aren’t far off from that point.
Bottom of sixth inning, Texas leads 6-3
McCubbin gets out of it again for the Tigers
The threat once again dies on the vine, as Atwood grounds out to third to end the frame. Three more outs for Clemson if it’s going to get its 24th comeback win of the year. If it does, this will be the only one that matters.
Clemson defensive miscues piling up
Another error by Clemson, as Maddie Moore was trying to get two outs before she got one. She tries to tag the lead runner and go to first but bobbles the ball on the transfer, giving Texas runners on first and second with one out. The Longhorns look for insurance.
Top of sixth inning, Texas leads 6-3
Clemson gets shut down again
Another scoreless inning for the Tigers, as Morgan has settled in for Texas. Another great play by Scott gets Brockinbrough at first, and Clemson is now down to three outs remaining.
Bottom of fifth inning, Texas leads 6-3
Clemson finally holds Texas scoreless
Clemson gets its scoreless inning. Texas puts two on but the Tigers are ultimately able to get out of the inning unscathed. A huge sixth is coming up for Clemson.
Interesting observation on the broadcast here, that McCubbin is tipping her changeups and Texas is whistling to indicate it’s coming (not illegal, to be clear). Texas has a runner on with a walk after one out, then a strikeout makes it two.
Top of fifth inning, Texas leads 6-3
Clemson goes down 1-2-3
Decided not what the Tigers needed. Clemson goes down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, giving it six outs in this game. A great play by Scott on the corner ends the inning for the Tigers, and Texas is back to the plate.
Bottom of fourth inning, Texas leads 6-3
Another Texas run scores on a force
Clemson’s mistake bites it. A groundout to second scores Texas’ sixth run. Clemson needs to stop taking body blows and string a scoreless inning or two together to allow its offense to make up ground.
Texas gets runner to second on error
These are plays that lose you games. A ground ball back to McCubbin gets spiked over to first, and Maloney gets to second after the errant throw. Tough moment here for Clemson, and instead of nobody on two outs there’s a runner on second with one out.
Top of fourth inning, Texas leads 5-3
Morgan gets Texas out of the inning
Big out there for Morgan, who gets the groundout and stops Clemson at two runs. 5-3 heading into the bottom of the fourth. Clemson will be looking for its first clean inning since the first.
Maddie Moore drives in another for Clemson
Maddie Moore is hitting a beach ball right now. A two-out single up the middle plates another for Clemson, making it a two-run game. A ball to the next batter runs Kavan, and Texas is going to the bullpen with runners on first and second and two out.
Clemson scores another on sacrifice fly
Big-small-ball by Clemson gets a run through. Two straight sacrifices advance the runner to third and then home to make it a 5-2 game. Runner on first and two out with the order turning over for the Tigers as Kavan gets a mound visit.
Clemson starts fourth with a double
Well, it had to be soon. No time like the present. Collins leads off the inning with a double. Now Clemson needs to start pushing these runs across somehow.
Bottom of third inning, Texas leads 5-1
McCubbin gets out of the inning
Another two runs score for Texas, but McCubbin stops the bleeding with a nice changeup. The Clemson bats need to wake up sooner than later if the Tigers are going to come back.
Texas plates another two
Really tough series of events for Clemson. First a groundball back to the pitcher pushes a run past on the throw over to first, then a wild pitch from McCubbin scores another. The bases are empty with two out for Clemson, but it’s 5-1 Texas now.
Texas threatening again, Cintron out
Looks like the Longhorns want the run the Tigers just stole back. Cintron gets run with runners at the corners and one out, as Texas looks to extend its lead.
Top of third inning, Texas leads 3-1
Texas gets out of the inning
On the next pitch, Texas get the 1-3 putout to end the scoring threat. A big run for Clemson, but the Tigers are still playing catchup.
Clemson on the board following sharp single
Maddie Moore just made one of the most impressive slides you’ll ever see. A Cintron single to left plates Moore, who looked dead on arrival coming home, but Moore manages to sneak her arm between the catcher’s glove and shin to get in. The play is under review, but looks like it should be upheld. Incredible play with the oven mitt.
Update: After a lengthy review the call stands. Outstanding play by Moore.
Clemson trying to rally with two outs
Clemson does have a threat brewing. Runners left on has been an ongoing issue for the Tigers, and now they have two runners on after an infield single and a walk following two quick outs. Teagan Kavan is trying to get out of this inning scoreless, but Clemson sends Cintron to the plate looking to help herself.
Second inning
Texas adds another
An ever-reliable bat, Maloney puts the Longhorns on the board against the new pitcher Cintron with a single, then takes second on the throw into the infield. 3-0 lead for Texas here early.
Goode comes through, drives in two
A double brings in two for the Longhorns, plating Mitchell and Stewart and giving Texas a 2-0 lead. A nightmarish start for Basinger and the Tigers, but now it’s a triage situation for Clemson.
Texas threat brewing
Texas is threatening here in the bottom of the second. The first two runners are on and the Longhorns have runners on second and third with no one out. Goode is now standing at the plate hoping to give Texas an early lead.
Texas back to the plate in 0-0 game
After a few long nights, the Texas pitching staff seems to want to expedite things. The Longhorns come up in the bottom of the second tied 0-0, looking to get on the board.
First inning
Texas, Clemson scoreless after one
Will Texas and Clemson be able to stymie each other’s offenses tonight? The two are scoreless after the first inning, as Clemson comes back up to bat for the second.
What’s at stake for Texas, Clemson
While Texas looks to make its third WCWS appearance in the past four years after finishing as runners-up last season, Clemson is looking to finally cross the Rubicon to the first appearance in program history. The Tigers have been knocking on the door, but are yet to break it down. Saturday represents an opportunity to do just that.
Saturday represents winner-take-all game
Texas and Clemson are gearing up for a winner-take-all showdown, as the Longhorns try to stave off the Tigers after a win in 10 innings Friday. It’s win-or-go-home in this SEC-ACC clash.
What time does Texas softball vs Clemson start?
Date: Saturday, May 24
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Red & Charline McCombs Field (Austin, Texas)
Game 3’s decider of the Austin Super Regional between the Longhorns and Tigers is scheduled for a 9 p.m. ET start.
What TV channel is Texas softball vs Clemson on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
Texas and Clemson’s super regional game will air on ESPN. Streaming options include the EPSN app (with a cable login), ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial.
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