Texas softball starts NCAA Regionals with win

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In their first game since losing 14-2 to Texas A&M in the SEC tournament, the Longhorns defeated Eastern Illinois by run rule 10-2 in the opening game of the NCAA regionals.

On a scorching Friday afternoon, No. 6 Texas played host to Eastern Illinois with a lot to prove since being bounced in the conference semifinals by their in-state rivals.

It wasn't a pretty start for the Longhorns, allowing the Panthers to strike first with a sac-fly to left field by Alisha Frederick and take a 1-0 lead.

"We were down 1-0 straight away but were able to bounce back with four runs in the first inning." Longhorns head coach Mike White said.

It was a quick response from Texas. Starting with Reese Atwood with bases loaded and no outs, the junior earned one of her five runs batted in and tied the game 1-1. In a game where Mike White decided not to use his ace pitcher Teagan Kavan, Atwood was the star of the show at the plate, going 4-4. As a team, the Longhorns notched 15 hits.

"It just shows this hard week of practice coming into today," Atwood said. "Knowing the heat and everything, I was just really proud of team to come out and put up that many hits against some pretty solid arms."

Texas will play Michigan, who beat UCF in the opening round, Saturday at noon in the winners bracket.