AUSTIN, Texas — Wagner softball played in its first-ever NCAA Tournament game on Friday, falling to No. 1 Texas, 9-1, in five innings.
The Green & White wasted no time getting on the board first, as senior left fielder
Lea Rachal reached on a fielder's choice and stole second before senior shortstop
Payton Janicki stroked a two-out RBI double into left-center field. Rachal scored the Seahawks' first-ever run in the NCAA Tournament to give Wagner a 1-0 lead.
The Longhorns responded immediately, knotting the game at 1-1 with a stolen base and double of their own. Both teams had chances to score in the second inning, but each left runners stranded, keeping the game tied through two innings.
Texas took the lead in the third inning with an RBI hit and extended its advantage in the fourth with a five-run outburst. A solo home run, an error and three RBI hits gave the hosts a 7-1 lead as Wagner's offense struggled to generate momentum.
After a single by freshman center fielder Ava Nawrocki in the second inning, Texas pitching retired the next 11 Seahawks. The Longhorns then added two runs in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single and an error to secure the run-rule victory.
Freshman
Samantha Lotus got the start, pitching 4.0 innings while striking out three batters and allowing just one walk.
The Seahawks will continue their NCAA Tournament run on Saturday, May 16, when they take on Baylor in the elimination bracket. The Bears opened the tournament with a 2-1 walk-off loss to No. 8 Wisconsin.
The matchup will be played at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin, Texas, and is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN+. The winner will advance to face the loser of the matchup between No. 8 Wisconsin and No. 1 Texas later that evening at 6 p.m. EDT.
