Texas Longhorns pitcher Miranda Elish is “doing well” despite being hit in the face by a thrown ball on Friday night.
Elish was in the circle for Texas’ second game against Alabama in their super regional. She was pitching with her Longhorns down 3-0 to the Tide in the top of the second with a runner on first. Bama leadoff hitter Elissa Brown tried to drop a bunt but it was ruled she had stepped out of the box. Texas catcher Mary Iakopo didn’t realize the ruling, so she fielded the ball and fired it towards second for the force out. Unfortunately her throw hit Elish in the face.
The video is below but contains footage of Elish being hit.
Scary situation in Texas-Alabama softball game. Catcher's throw to second base hit Texas pitcher Miranda Elish in the face. She was down for several minutes and taken to a hospital. Reports say she is doing well and hospital trip was just a precaution. pic.twitter.com/ahYFLk0ULI
— Cork Gaines (@CorkGaines) May 25, 2019
The stadium was immediately silenced and Elish received attention after being hit and dropping to the ground. She was taken away in an ambulance to the hospital as a precaution.
Texas later shared that Elish was doing well.
For those who have joined us late, we've been told that "our @elish_miranda is DOING WELL and was taken to the ER as a precaution…" We sincerely appreciate all your thoughts and prayers!
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 25, 2019
Texas coach Mike White added during an in-game interview that Elish was “hurting a little bit but in good spirits.”
Elish has been the star of the Texas pitching staff this season. The junior transfer from Oregon entered the game 18-10 with a 1.72 ERA, 225 strikeouts in 183.2 innings, and 11 shutouts. She pitched 30 innings in their regional last weekend, 29 of which came in a span of two days when she pitched complete games in both ends of a double header. She allowed just four runs in five games. She is also batting .315 with 27 RBIs and has been one of the team’s best hitters.
Even though Elish got hurt, the rest of the Longhorns stepped up. Iakopo, who threw the ball that hit Elish, slugged a 3-run home run to get Texas back in the game. They got pitching from Brooke Bolinger and Shea O’Leary to limit the Tide and won 7-5 to force a third and deciding game. The winner of Saturday’s contest goes to the Women’s College World Series.
