Tennessee defeats defending national champion Texas in WCWS opening round
By Andrew Olson
Published:
For the first time since 2018, the Women’s College World Series defending national champion suffered defeat in the opening round. On Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma City, No. 7 seed Tennessee defeated No. 2 seed Texas 6-3. The Lady Volunteers move on to the winner’s bracket and get a day of rest, while the Longhorns will play in the first elimination game of this year’s WCWS.
After a scoreless 1st inning, the Vols broke the scoring ice in the top of the 2nd inning. Elsa Morrison gave Tennessee the early lead with a 3-run blast to center field.
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First pitch swinging from Elsa Morrison gives the Lady Vols the 3-run lead #WCWS x ESPN / @Vol_Softball pic.twitter.com/SCzxxJA3dO
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 28, 2026
Once Tennessee was in front, it never surrendered the lead. The Vols extended the lead to 4-0 in the top of the 5th before Texas got on the board in the bottom half of the inning.
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The Longhorns made things interesting in the bottom of the 6th inning when Goode hit a 2-run homer to center field, cutting the lead to 5-3. The Vols again answered with a run of their own, getting it back to 6-3 for the Longhorns’ final at-bat.
Sage Mardjetko got the start for Tennessee on Thursday. She collected the win, improving to 15-2 with a line of 3 IP, allowing just 1 hit while walking 2 and striking out 1. Karlyn Pickens pitched the final 3 innings and picked up her 7th save of the season. Pickens posted a line of 3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 K.
Texas will play a Friday night elimination game against Mississippi State. Tennessee resumes play Saturday afternoon, facing No. 11 seed Texas Tech in the winner’s bracket.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
