The University of Texas softball season ended last nightwith a 2-1 loss to Tennessee at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
Earlier in the day, the Longhorns kept their national title hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Florida.
A group of four UT seniors compiled 185 wins for the Longhorn softball team. That was the most by any senior class in the history of the softball program.
They helped the Longhorns reach the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2006.
The group of seniors was anchored by Austin’s own Blaire Luna, who graduated from Bowie High School.
According to Luna, the biggest disappointment is not being able to play in the best-of-3 title series for a shot at the national title.
“You know, it is upsetting that we came up short but I’m really proud of our team and the way that we fought this year. And, you know, just the fact that we were at the World Series. That’s something that I’ve wanted to accomplish. And we did it,” Luna said.
The Longhorns finished with 51 wins this season, the second best behind the ‘06 team that last played in the Women’s College World Series. Though they didn’t make it to the title series, Longhorns coach Connie Clark says this team will be remembered for its senior leadership.
“I’m just proud of them. To see them reach the pinnacle of our sport and go out at the Women’s College World Series,” Clark said.
The Longhorns had something in common with the two teams playing in the title series – Oklahoma and Tennessee. All three started out with wins in Oklahoma City.
“I do think that it’s the first team that can relax a little bit,” Clark said. “I thought that we did a great job with that. To be quite honest, I think we did the things that we needed to do to at least give ourselves a chance to continue to advance and move forward.”
Clark also hopes it doesn’t take a seven-year wait again before the Longhorns make another return to Oklahoma City.
