Texas Softball No. 1 stays in contention with 9-8 win in nine innings against Texas A&M at the Austin Super Regional

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Ashton Maloney brought home the game-winning run from Kayden Henry in the ninth inning, and the top-seeded and top-ranked Texas team defeated Texas A&M 9-8 in nine innings to stay in contention in its Austin Super Regional on Saturday.

The Longhorns overcame a 5-1 deficit and handed the Aggies their first loss in five NCAA tournament games.

To start the ninth inning, Henry hit a bunt single to first, stole second base and reached third on a groundout. Maloney then hit a chopper to shortstop and Henry scored easily off the wide throw.

Henry hit 3 for 5 and scored three runs.

In the ninth inning, Jazmine Hill singled to first. Mya Perez, who had earlier tied the game with a two-out, three-run home run in the seventh inning, came to bat with two outs. With two strikes, she was awarded first base due to catcher interference. Kramer Eschete then hit a grounder to second base and pinch-runner Keely Williams was forced out to end the game.

Four singles and aggressive baserunning helped Texas take advantage of two errors and an obstruction call to score five runs to take a 6-5 lead in the sixth inning.

Texas (51-8) scored two more runs in the seventh inning with a home run by Bella Dayton.

The Aggies trailed 5-8 at the end of the seventh inning and had just one hit left when Perez tied the game with a home run.

Texas A&M (44-14), which won its opener 6-5 on Friday, led 5-1 after five innings in the second game. Hill hit a home run in the second inning and Trinity Cannon added a two-run shot in the fifth inning.

Joley Mitchell's home run to left field in the fourth inning brought the first run for Texas.

The third game is scheduled for Sunday. Texas plays as the home team.

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