The Texas softball team has been characterized by fortitude for most of the regular season. This signature held true until the final weekend of the Longhorns’ postseason.

The hosts of the Austin regional came out of the gates gimpy in their matchup against Northwestern, being shutout 2-0. Facing elimination against Auburn the following day, every player on the Texas roster knew what lie ahead. Drop this game to the Tigers and the Longhorns would see a premature end to their playoff run. Win, however, and they would continue to have to face that same elimination situation for the next three games.

Their work was cut out for them, definitely, yet their response to the pressure was seemingly natural.

The ‘Horns escaped the Austin regional by winning their next four games by a combined score of 26-2, steamrolling over Auburn and Houston before defeating Northwestern twice to eliminate the Wildcats and propel themselves into the Austin Super Regional.

Blaire Luna gave up just one earned run in her three starts during the win-streak, while teammate Rachel Fox did the same in her start against Auburn.

Moving into the Super Regional in Austin, the Longhorns maintained this hot stretch and extended their winning-streak to five games with a 4-2 win over Oregon.

Nadia Taylor, who had four RBIs in Texas’ matchup with Auburn in the Regional, notched three more with a three-run homerun in the opening game of the Super Regional. The senior third-baseman made it known in the postgame press conference that it was a complete team effort.

“We were all talking and wanting to get this first win in order to set the tone,” said Taylor. “We know we are going to try our best and go get it tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, I think the pitching staff did a great job, and the hitters did a great job adjusting.”

All was well, as the Longhorns had captured every bit of momentum heading into Game 2 versus Oregon.

However, needing only one more win against the Ducks the following day to claim the Austin Super Regional title, Texas sputtered just a bit in what was a tightly contested ball game.

Blaire Luna lasted just 2 1/3 innings, walking five batters and giving up two earned runs. Rachel Fox stepped in for relief and had a respectable outing, but it was ultimately Texas’ four errors that gave the game away.

The game went to eight innings, when Oregon’s Kaylan Howard hit a sac fly that brought in Janie Takeda for the winning run. With the win, the Ducks forced a do-or-die Game 3 that took place just 30 minutes after that emotional Game 2.

Jessica Moore, the winning pitcher for the Ducks in Game 2, said having some run cushioning was key for her in the victory.

"I came out and knew I needed to be stronger than I was yesterday," remarked the junior. "The team picked me up big today. It's just awesome pitching with a lead."

Moore would have that same luxury in Game 3, as well, with her Oregon Ducks jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning. Texas would cut that lead to three in the fourth, but Oregon responded with a four runs in the bottom of the inning to push it to 10-3. The score remained that way until Texas’ final chance at tying the game in the seventh inning.

Taylor Hoagland and Lexy Bennett recorded back-to-back solo homeruns with one out in the seventh—the 18th and 13th of their careers, respectively.

Courtney Craig came through clutch, as well, adding a two-out solo homer over the left-field wall.

Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough as Oregon staved off the Longhorn rally in the final inning to take the game 10-6, putting them into the Women’s College World Series and eliminating Texas from postseason play.

Coach Connie Clark remained proud of her team, but especially commended her senior players for their tremendous efforts throughout the regular- and post-season.

“I am extremely proud of the fight and the tremendous season that this team had,” said Coach Clark following the Game 3 loss to Oregon. “The seniors have been amazing since the first day they arrived on campus. This is a special group sitting here. They're going to be missed greatly.”

She went on to congratulate the victors and remark on the missed opportunities that she felt doomed her Texas team.

“Give credit to Oregon. They are a very good ball club,” she said. “We had some opportunities in that first game [of the double-header], and I think we battled well till the very end. We just didn't get the outcome that we wanted.”

For the season, the pitching staff took a step back this year. Rachel Fox and Blaire Luna combined for a 2.29 ERA, compared to their total combined ERA of 1.25 in 2011.

This Texas team showed considerable power during this 2012 season, ranking in the top-20 in home runs per game. Individually, junior Taylor Hoagland tied for 19th in the NCAA with 18 homeruns.

Texas finishes the 2012 season with a 47-13 overall record and a top-six national team batting average.