Estelle Czech, J.J. Smith lift Texas over Arizona to WCWS semifinals

Texas sophomores Estelle Czech and J.J. Smith wouldn’t have been atop a list of the likeliest heroes heading into Sunday’s Women’s College World Series elimination game against Arizona.

And that’s the beautiful thing about the grandest stage in college softball. Magic permeates the air, legacies are forged, stars flash into existence.

Without Czech mowing down Wildcats for 3 2/3 innings in relief of starter Hailey Dolcini, and without Smith thumping a where-did-that-come-from go-ahead 3-run home run, Texas is probably arranging for a return flight to Austin.

Instead, thanks in large part to Czech and Smith’s electric performances, Texas topped Arizona 5-2 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City to become just the second unseeded team to ever reach the national semifinals.

The Longhorns (45-20-1) will need to beat No. 7 national seed Oklahoma State twice Monday to advance to the WCWS finals, a steep hill to climb considering they’re 0-4 against the Cowgirls in 2022. Still, after overcoming the odds to eliminate No. 13 Washington, No. 4 Arkansas and Arizona (39-21) this postseason, coach Mike White likes his team’s chances.

“The girls have come together when it’s really counted,” White said. “It’s exciting to see these young ladies excel on the big stage. Hey, let’s make the most of this opportunity.”

Dolcini got off to a strong start. She retired six straight to open the game and allowed just one baserunner through three innings.

Designated player Courtney Day provided Dolcini some early run support, barreling a meaty pitch to dead center field for a solo home run in the bottom of the third. But Dolcini allowed Arizona’s first four batters to reach base in the ensuing frame, ceding two singles, a walk and a go-ahead two-run single to first baseman Carlie Scupin.

White didn’t want to risk letting things get out of hand, so he called for Czech to replace Dolcini with one out and runners on first and second. It was her first appearance since May 20 and only her fourth since May 1.

No rust detected.

Czech (W, 12-1) struck out the next two batters to end the inning and sat down eight straight before right fielder Paige Dimler’s leadoff single in the seventh. Otherwise, Czech was perfect over 3 2/3 innings, striking out four and inducing a game-ending double play grounder to shortstop Alyssa Washington.

“Coach and I had a discussion before the game that my position for today was to be reliever and to pick up Hailey when she needed it,” Czech said. “And that’s exactly what I tried to do. And, you know, Haley did her job and I did mine.”

As for Smith, she stepped into the box in the bottom of the fourth with Washington and catcher Mary Iakopo on base and one out. Arizona had just grabbed a 2-1 lead, but that would change with one vigorous swing of the bat.

Smith, whose only other home run this season came back on April 15, bludgeoned a 1-0 pitch from reliever Devyn Netz just over the top of the right-center fence to put Texas back up 4-1.

Center fielder Bella Dayton tacked on one more insurance run in the fifth with a deep sacrifice fly to score second baseman Janae Jefferson from third.

“Honestly, (I was) a little nervous,” Smith said of her tide-turning at-bat. “But on deck, the first thing that ran through my mind was this is for the super seniors. Janae, Hailey, Lauren (Burke), Mary, they deserve to be here. I was just doing it for my team.”

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