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Although the season was abruptly cancelled, Texas softball can take comfort in knowing they were the No. 1 team in the nation.
What could have been. Continue reading “Texas Softball finishes the 2020 season ranked No. 1 in final poll”
Locked on Longhorns podcast brings another edition of Mock Draft Monday. Plus which Longhorn will return in 2021?
Cami and Patrick bring a new edition of the Locked on Longhorns podcast with an update on what they are doing since there are no sports going on. A Longhorn has decided to return to the Forty Acres in 2021.
The mock draft roundup shows where the top three Longhorns are projected. Plus an early look at which games Texas will be the underdog for in the 2020 season.
Also could this be Tom Herman’s last stand?
There is now no chance for the Texas baseball and softball programs to continue play at a later date this season.
Rather than cancelling the season entirely, many were hopeful that the Big 12 Conference would leave the door open to continue play in a few weeks for the baseball and softball programs.
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com, the Big 12 officially announced that there would be no games played for the remainder of the season.
SOURCES: The @Big12Conference has canceled the remainder of its college baseball season. The league had hoped to continue in a few weeks. Not anymore. It’s done. #Big12
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) March 13, 2020
This applies to #Big12 softball, too. 😰 https://t.co/hQZMg7ea63
— D1Softball (@D1Softball) March 13, 2020
Both programs were off to an impressive start to the 2020 season. Texas baseball ended with an overall 14-3 record and was one week away from starting conference play. The Longhorns were scheduled to travel to Norman on March 20 to face the Oklahoma Sooners.
Several baseball teams within the Big 12 looked stout throughout the early part of the season. There was a legitimate chance for six teams to represent the Big 12 in the postseason. Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and TCU finished atop the final conference rankings, with Oklahoma State and West Virginia close behind.
Arguably the most dominant team in all of Texas athletics this season, softball ended the year with an impressive 24-3 overall record. In her final appearance on the mound last week, senior Miranda Elish pitched a perfect game. Texas defeated the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the nation on back-to-back nights, which propelled the Longhorns to the No. 1 team in the nation according to Softball America.
Not only was Texas softball in a great position to take home the Big 12 conference title, they were a favorite to win the College World Series.
The NCAA officially announced the intent to add an extra year of eligibility to seniors who were not able to finish out the season. The details remain in the works, but having a chance to finish their collegiate careers on their own terms is a great place to start.
The public health and safety is top priority amid the Coronavirus outbreak, but it’s understandably an emotional period for college athletes who have dedicated countless hours into this season.
In a statement sent to NCAA coaches, recruiting has been placed under suspension. Schools must now follow dead period rules.
In the latest news regarding NCAA suspensions, recruiting is now suspending until April 15th. That day is the first day that players can submit their NLI (National Letters of Intent). It is uncertain at this time how that will impact basketball recruiting. For the Texas Longhorns, they do not have a single signee for the 2020 recruiting cycle for Shaka Smart’s team. Greg Brown is the main target for the class and this might delay his commitment. We will keep you updated on the situation.
In a report released on 247 sports, the following statement was sent to coaches on Friday.
“Dear Coaches and Staff,
The NCAA has adopted emergency Legislation to establish a temporary recruiting DEAD PERIOD. The Council Coordination Committee adopted emergency legislation to establish a temporary recruiting dead period in all NCAA Division I sports, effective immediately. The dead period will remain in effect at least until April 15 , at which time the Council Coordination Committee will re-evaluate the status of the situation. Based on the immediate effective date, reasonable measures should be taken to cease all recruiting activities that are not permissible during a dead period (e.g., official and unofficial visits, contacts and evaluations).From now until April 15, all sports are prohibited from any on-campus or off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations.”
In a dead period for recruiting, coaches are not allowed to have any face to face visits at the university or in a players home with the prospect or parents. Teams are allowed to communicate through emails, texts and phone calls. It is also unclear at this time if the NCAA will delay National Signing Day in light of this new ruling.
The fun fact Friday edition of the Locked on Longhorns Podcast. Pat and Cami discuss the impact on the cancellations and spring football.
Cami and Patrick bring you another edition of the Locked on Longhorns podcast. What started as just a cancellation of the Texas-Texas Tech game spirals into the Big 12 tournament and more being cancelled. They discussed what impact that could have on the seniors who might have played their final games in burnt orange and white.
Patrick reads a heartbreaking post by one such senior in John Burt from his instagram.
Plus a statement released by Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. What could that mean for football team that was expected to begin spring practice on March 25th. All that and more on the fun fact Friday edition of the podcast.
With the COVID-19 outbreak, there a lot of moving parts in regards to the athletic programs. The updates on how things look for Texas.
The news on NCAA athletics have been released at a fast and furious rate. Following the cancelling of the Texas and Texas Tech Big 12 tournament game on Thursday morning, it was reported following that news that the Big 12 would cancel their tournament much like the rest of the power five conferences.
In wake of the decisions made by the conference commisioners, the news spread about cancellations of spring athletics much like New Mexico University with their upcoming series with the Texas Longhorns baseball team. The opportunity arose for each athletic conference along with the professional sports leagues to try and slow the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus).
The Big 12 later released a tweet that they would be suspending all conference championships until at least April 15th.
The @Big12Conference has announced the immediate suspension of all Conference championships until April 15, resulting in the cancellation of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championships.
Conducting future Big 12 championships this season will be evaluated by April 15. pic.twitter.com/HIGxfSrlLn
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 12, 2020
The NCAA later cancelled the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments as well as the men’s and women’s College World Series. Essentially all sports through the academic year of 2019-2020 have been cancelled at this point in time.
The @Big12Conference announces that beginning Friday, March 13, it is suspending all regular-season competitions, on- and off-campus recruiting, and out-of-season practices until Sunday, March 29.
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 12, 2020
Athletic Directory Chris Del Conte released the following statement.
With the Big 12’s recent directive suspending athletics activities until Sunday, March 29, all regular-season Longhorn Athletics competitions will be cancelled until that date, beginning with our Baseball series on Friday. In addition to in-season UT sports with current regular-season competition like Baseball, Golf, Rowing, Softball and Tennis, this also will include the Texas Relays and Spring Soccer matches, and postpone a decision on the start of Spring Football Practice until after the March 29 date.
“That was followed by an announcement from the NCAA that all winter and spring sports championships have been cancelled, which includes those upcoming in Track & Field, Basketball and Swimming & Diving. This is a very fluid situation and one that presents great challenges. The health, safety and well-being of everyone involved is the number one priority and we will be having many discussions in the coming hours, days and weeks to determine what the next steps are. We appreciate everyone’s support and patience on this and will continue to provide updates as decisions are made
At this point in time, spring football is at least pushed back into the month of April most likely but we will provide updates as they are passed along.
With the recent pandemic concerning the COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Big 12 conference and the University of Texas released rulings.
With the recent rulings by the NCAA concerning the tournament amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Texas has also made their announcement.
Del Conte on Texas banning fans until 3/22: "We regret that our fans will not be able to attend our events to support our teams, but this decision was made with the health and well-being of our campus community and fans as the top priority."
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) March 12, 2020
This comes on the heels of the Big 12 limited fans from attending the Big 12 tournament currently taking place in Kansas City, Missouri. Per Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowles, schools will be limited to 125 fans per school.
Big 12's Bob Bowlsby starts his presser. "We are announcing today that beginning (Thursday) we will be implementing limited access." Teams will get 125 tickets. Venue cleared after each game.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) March 11, 2020
On the 125 tickets that will go to each school for each Big 12 tourney game, Bowlsby said, "The institutions are going to have to determine how the tickets are used."
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) March 11, 2020
Texas President Greg Fenves released an announcement regarding Spring Break.
I am writing to announce that I have decided to extend spring break for students by one week in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Classes will resume on campus on Monday, March 30, and students should plan on returning prior to that date.
The university will remain open, and the additional week of spring break will provide UT faculty and staff members time to prepare to increase “social distancing” on campus. As recommended by public health officials, social distancing provides guidelines through which individuals avoid group settings and mass gatherings, maintain a safe distance from others and follow good personal hygiene practices whenever possible.
COVID-19 represents a serious public health concern. UT is committed to the well-being of our community members and slowing the spread of the coronavirus while also supporting our students’ educational goals and the needs of staff and faculty members and students during these challenging times.
You can read the full release from President Fenves here.
The school pushing back spring break to March 30th brings into question the start of spring practice. The original start date was set for March 25th. The ban of attending home sporting events would last to the 22nd so that would not have factored in. However, the extension of spring break does.
We will monitor the situation and report the facts as they are made available.
Miranda Elish has been one of the best players in college softball all season, on Sunday morning she pitched her second perfect game.
The Texas Longhorns softball team was back in action on the final day of the Longhorns Invitational. Senior pitcher Miranda Elish took to the circle looking to keep the hot streak going for the Longhorns, winners of five straight. Elish was looking to make history for the Texas Longhorns.
The offense got off to a hot start in the first inning. The Longhorns had a 2-0 early lead and the theme of the day great pitching by Elish and error filled softball by the New Mexico Lobos. The Lobos finished with seven total errors on the day. With Tuesday DerMargosian on first, Janae Jefferson got aboard on a bunt single, a throwing error allowed Tuesday to score to make it 3-0.
JUST…DEALING! Nine K's through five…
UNM 0 – TEXAS 5 – Mid 5th pic.twitter.com/5bEo8TRrsi
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 8, 2020
Meanwhile in the circle, Elish continued to dominate with her 10 total strikeouts on the day. She retired all 21 batters faced. Her perfect day lowered her earned run average (ERA) to 1.25. This game gave Miranda Elish her 11th win on the season. Not to mention she also leads the team with 96 strikeouts.
This marked the second perfect game for Miranda Elish and the 11th in Texas history. A very fitting accomplishment on International Women’s Day.
Texas softball is now the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to Softball America’s Top 25 Poll.
Texas softball continues to dominate.
Within a span of 72 hours last week, the Longhorns took down No. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette, No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 Washington. Defeating the top two teams in the country in consecutive games is the first in program history.
After suffering a loss to unranked Fresno State shortly after, Texas bounced back to defeat the No. 13 team in the country. Junior first baseman and outfielder Lauren Burke played a critical role in each of Texas’ key wins.
She was clutch at the plate, demolishing two home runs in crucial moments to propel Texas over UCLA and Washington. Burke hit .458 (11-for-24) with five doubles, six RBIs and a 1.375 OPS. Her consistent performances earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors.
She wasn’t the only Longhorn recognized, as sophomore pitcher Shea O’Leary was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with 11 strikeouts over 15 innings. O’Leary also tossed a complete-game shutout to defeat No. 13 Michigan.
Texas’ impressive week on the west coast was enough to earn the No. 1 spot in Softball America’s Top 25 Poll.
WE'RE NO. 1⃣!! Texas climbs into the top spot in this week's @SoftbalAmerica Top 25 poll! Check out all our rankings:
No. 1⃣ – @SoftbalAmerica
No. 2⃣ – @espn/@USASoftball (five first-place votes)
No. 3⃣ – @USATODAY/@NFCAorg (two first-place votes)#OneTeamOneTexas | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/un9eqQiept— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 3, 2020
Texas is back at home this weekend to host New Mexico, Texas Southern and Liberty in the Longhorn Invitational.
Texas softball remains on an impressive hot streak, defeating three of the top 10 teams in the nation within a span of 72 hours.
Texas softball is on an incredible hot streak.
Within a span of 72 hours, the Longhorns defeated three top 10 teams in the nation. After defeating No. 10 ranked Louisiana-Lafayette at home last Tuesday, Texas went on the road to upset the highest-ranked team in the nation by defeating UCLA 6-4 in eight innings on Thursday.
How would they respond to such a crucial win? Oftentimes after an exciting thriller like this, teams may get off to a slow start as celebration lingers.
Not the Longhorns.
They responded by beating the No. 2 team in the nation less than 24 hours later. Texas took on No. 2 Washington in Fullerton on Friday night, securing an impressive 8-6 win.
No. 1⃣✔️
No. 2⃣✔️For the first time in UT history, No. 3⃣ Texas softball has beaten the top two teams in the country in back-to-back games as the Longhorns knock off No. 2⃣ Washington, 8-6!
Texas is now 18-2 overall, and that's three Top-10 wins in 72 hours! pic.twitter.com/POBOdPeXuN
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) February 29, 2020
Defeating the top two teams in the country in consecutive games is the first in program history. The Longhorns continue their streak of out-hitting all 20 opponents that they have faced this season.
Texas jumped up early on Washington, scoring five runs in the first inning. Junior right fielder Lauren Burke came up clutch at the plate yet again, going 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, one home run, and three RBIs.
The Longhorns started sophomore pitcher Shea O’Leary, but she quickly allowed four earned runs on three hits. Freshman pitcher Courtney Day improved to 4-0 overall by allowing only one earned run on three hits with no walks in 3.2 innings of relief. Senior Miranda Elish closed out the game.
Texas’ two losses this season came by a combined two runs.
