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Texas legend Cat Osterman returns home run ball to Longhorns’ JJ Smith

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JJ Smith #18 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates as she rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead against the Arizona Wildcats in the fourth inning during the NCAA Women's College World Series at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex on June 5, 2022 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Texas won 5-2. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Cat Osterman had plenty to cheer for as the star showed her support for alma mater Texas during the unseeded Longhorns’ improbable Women’s College World Series run.

Texas surged to a 5-2 win over Arizona Sunday, keeping their championship hopes alive and pushing them into Monday’s semifinals.

Osterman made her Longhorn loyalty known, celebrating JJ Smith’s dominant performance for Texas. The sophomore blasted a three-run homer to clinch the Longhorns a spot in the semifinals.

In a moving show of support, Osterman retrieved Smith’s home run ball and returned it to her after the game.

“Standing in to get [JJ Smith’s] HR ball is the highlight of this for me,” Osterman wrote on Twitter. “This is me telling her (with tears in my eyes) that I have it for her! When you look up role player + dedication + loyalty you’ll see JJ there!”

Osterman presented the game ball to Smith in a tearful exchange following the Longhorns’ victory.

Texas will face No. 7 Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. ET Monday in a must-win semifinal matchup. If the Longhorns win that game, they’ll force a winner-take-all contest against the Cowgirls immediately afterward.