Just another huge loss for the Longhorns at the hands of the Cowboys. Well, at least we got them last year in footb-ahhh, crap. That too, huh. The bad times kept on coming for the Texas Longhorns, as Texas dropped a second consecutive huge loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater on Friday. Though this time around showed a moderate improvement, (15-0 Thursday to 10-2 Friday — progress!) with the loss Texas clinched its third straight losing conference series and fell further down the Big 12 leader board. Blair Henley kept the Horns in the ballgame throughout its early stages. The starting pitcher only allowed three runs through five innings to go with eight strikeouts (including this filthy breaking ball) and just four hits allowed. However, a huge sixth inning blew open the game for the Cowboys and gave Oklahoma State an insurmountable lead. Though, as mentioned above, Henley had flashes of excellence against Oklahoma State through five innings of work, he was also erratic in the game in allowing six walks. Entering the sixth inning down 3-0, Henley only recorded one out before allowing a solo homer and his seventh walk before getting pulled for Tristan Stevens. The sophomore walked the first two batters he faced, loading the bases and setting up a grand slam home run for OSU. Matteo Bocchi relieved Stevens and escaped the inning, but with Oklahoma State possessing a commanding 8-0 lead, Texas was once again getting blown out. Oklahoma State added two more runs to make it 10-0 with a two run single in the bottom of the eighth inning. Texas got those two runs back with a two run single of its own — this one coming off the bat of Eric Kennedy, scoring Lance Ford and Ryan Reynolds. But Austin Todd flied out to center one batter later, ending the frivolous Texas comeback that came up juuuust short, with the Longhorns taking the loss 10-2. First pitch on Saturday is at 3:00 p.m. Central on ESPNU as Texas tries to salvage a game in a series that isn’t just lost already as the chances at and odds of winning a conference title quickly slip away.

Many things can be said about the storied Texas-Oklahoma rivalry. But don’t ever call it boring. In an absolutely bizarre turn of events, No. 1 Oklahoma prevailed, 4-3, as the game-tying run was tagged out at the plate to end the game. After the Longhorns grinded their way to extra innings, all they needed was some kind of break. Instead, it was the Sooners who caught the lucky bounces in both the top and the bottom of the eighth frame. “We had just a couple of funky things happen,” Texas head coach Mike White said. “Just sometimes when things happen that way, it’s hard to stop it.” The game-ending play was as strange as it was dramatic. Second baseman Janae Jefferson laid down a perfect two-out bunt with runners on first and second. The throw airmailed the first baseman and shortstop Kaitlyn Slack easily scored from second. Then, White sent right fielder MK Tedder home, and mayhem ensued. Tedder came close to running into Oklahoma third baseman Sydney Romero while rounding third. Then, at the plate, Sooner catcher Lynnsie Elam caught the ball and tagged Tedder out while standing in the basepath. Despite White’s complaints, neither play was called obstruction, and the game was over. “Either way, it would’ve been a close play, obstruction or no obstruction,” Tedder said. “I was just trying to give it my best shot.” This play came after another odd play in the top of the inning. Tedder made an outstanding diving catch with two runners on, but the Oklahoma runner tagged up. Tedder threw from the ground, and the relay was late. Yet Jefferson was convinced that the runner never tagged home. She jogged over to try and tag the runner as she was mobbed by her Sooner teammates, and in doing so, allowed another run to score. The devastating finish extended Texas’ losing streak to Oklahoma, which now stands at 17 consecutive games. But the way they’ve battled this series, the Longhorns don’t see this as a weight on their shoulders anymore. “We’re playing a great team,” White said. “You just can’t look at that. We don’t put any pressure on it.” While the runs haven’t poured in for the Texas offense, getting back to the basics has allowed the team to fight back in close games. After they manufactured a run with a sacrifice bunt and a two-out single in the first, the Longhorns used a suicide squeeze to score the game-tying run in the sixth. “We’ve showed a lot of heart and determination today,” pitcher Brooke Bolinger said. “I think it’s just get us ready for postseason, especially in the environment we had tonight.” With 1,415 fans lining the stands of Red and Charline McCombs Field, good for seventh all-time in that ballpark, it truly was a postseason-like atmosphere. One of the best rivalries in college sports put on a show, but after all the drama, it was the words “boomer” and “sooner” that rang loud.

How to volunteer, celebrate, and get free bus rides Monday marks the 49th annual celebration of Earth Day, a now-global tradition begun after U.S. protests in 1970 spurred the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other robust legislation meant to protect the natural environment from pollution. Now celebrated by more than 1 billion people in 192 countries, according to the Earth Day nonprofit organization, Earth Day is meant to be a day of political action and civic participation. While many Austinites do their part to help as well as enjoy the planet on a daily basis—by recycling, reducing waste, buying locally produced goods, spending time in our parks, perhaps even taking public transportation—Earth Day is a good time to up your eco-friendliness—and in that spirit, we’ve compiled a few easy (and fun!) ways to celebrate this year. Volunteer with the Austin Parks Foundation ... Austin parks have a big, effective friend in the nonprofit foundation, which has organized several opportunities to show local parks some extra love this weekend and beyond. APF will provide drinking water for volunteers—please bring a reusable bottle if you wish to partake. Open Work Day at Wooldridge Square Park Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m.-noon Help care for the beloved heritage trees at one of Austin’s three historic downtown squares—dress for the weather and the tasks (weeding and mulching). Earth Day at Davis White Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m.-noon This special Earth Day project at Davis White Northeast Park near Walnut Creek will also involve tree care and will feature kids’ activities with the Little Hummingbird Society. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Paint Bartholomew’s Learning Trail Saturday, April 27, 8 a.m.-noon Help refresh the learning trail of Austin’s most-beloved parks—note that this event is next Saturday, April 27. ... or Enjoy yourself at one of APF’s give-back events Black Swan Yoga Donations Monday, April 22, all day Black Swan Yoga locations will be accepting $5 donations to APF all day—just ask for its DipJar. Giveback Happy Hour at Friends and Allies Brewing Monday, April 22, 6-9 p.m. The Friends and Allies will donate $1 to APF for every pint sold at its taproom. Earth Day Charity Ride with SoulCycle Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. APF is partnering with SoulCycle’s Charity Ride Program, which is selling individual bike posts for a 45-minute signature class for $30 each in a fundraiser for the parks organization. Ditch your car Monday, April 22 Ride-hailing company Lyft returns with its Ditch Day Monday, offering a free or discounted glimpse at how to reduce your carbon footprint and possibly ease road congestion. This year, Lyft is partnering with the City of Austin Transportation Department and its Office of Sustainability and returning organizations Capital Metro, Movability, and the Downtown Austin Alliance in this public-private endeavor. Austinites can sign up for get a free Capital Metro day pass and can apply the code DITCHDAY2 for 25% off two Shared Lyft rides on Ditch Day. Earth Day at Community Gardens Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Community Gardens, 1067 W. Highway 71, Bastrop, Texas A full weekend of activities at permaculture-based Batrop business Sustainable Humane Earth’s Community Gardens property will feature an Aztec Dance Ceremony by Danza Azteca Taxacaylotl; live music; yoga and health and wellness classes; gardening classes; a permaculture farm tour; children’s activities; and food and earth-friendly vendors. Have an Earthy Day event or activity to add? Let us know in the comments.

The Horns hosted the Houston-area prospect earlier this offseason. For the third time this week, a Texas Longhorns defensive target is taking his talents outside of the state lines. Earlier this week, Hebron safety Darius Snow and Mansfield Timberview cornerback Jalen Kimber announced commitments to Michigan State and Georgia, respectively, and the latest example came on Friday afternoon in the form of Houston Cy Creek outside linebacker Josh White, who is now headed to LSU. Blessed.. pic.twitter.com/7tehOtRE3V— Jwhite_33 (@33Jwhite) April 19, 2019 A former Oklahoma State pledge, White visited the Forty Acres in mid-January for the Longhorns’ Elite Day, and then a little over a month later, he finally added an offer from Tom Herman’s program on Feb. 26. Prior to his pledge to the Tigers, White was one of eight uncommitted outside linebacker prospects with a Texas offer in hand, and one of only three from the state of Texas, alongside Dallas Highland Park star Prince Dorbah and Dallas Bishop Dunne standout Brennon Scott. To that end, the Dorbah and Scott were each in Austin this past weekend for the Orange-White spring game so while it isn’t ideal that a Texas program still pursuing its first defensive pledge now sees yet another prospect commit elsewhere, the Longhorns are still in good standing with other key targets. At the outside linebacker, specifically, Dorbah appears to be the most likely option. Each of his three Crystal Ball picks to date point to Texas.