After a monumental 5-0 weekend, the Longhorns have moved their way up in the ESPN and USA Softball rankings to No. 3 after previously being ranked No. 8/5.
Texas softball started its season undefeated, marking the program’s best start to a season since the beginning of 2021.
But Texas was still hungry for success.
For the third time in program history and the first time since 2013, the team connected for two grand slams in the same game.
Against San Diego, true freshman catcher Katie Stewart, sophomore catcher Reese Atwood and senior infielder Joley Mitchell delivered three consecutive solo home runs, a feat accomplished only four times prior in program history.
The Longhorns’ hitting prowess was particularly evident on Saturday, culminating in a .595 on-base percentage and a 1.138 slugging percentage.
The only game below double digits in runs was Friday’s game against UCLA, which was also the only matchup to extend to seven innings.
A key to their hitting success lay in the performances of Atwood and sophomore shortstop Viviana Martinez. Both of the Longhorns hit two home runs, making up half of the team’s eight home runs this weekend.
Following her dominant performance on the West Coast, Atwood was named Big 12 NFAC Player of the Week. In just five trips to the plate, Atwood had four hits, 11 bases and six RBI.
Several other Longhorns also had moments to shine, including junior utility Mia Scott as she hit her first career grand slam. In just her third collegiate softball game, freshman outfielder Kayden Henry batted a career-high of three hits in four official plate appearances.
However, the weekend would not have been as successful without Texas’ dominant pitching staff, which shut out San Diego on the first night and UCLA on the second night. The Longhorns pitched 22 innings without conceding a home run.
The pitching staff’s proficiency spans all classes, with senior Estelle Czech, juniors Mac Morgan and Sophia Simpson, sophomore Citlaly Gutierrez and freshman Teagan Kavan collectively allowing only nine hits throughout the weekend.
Even a change of scenery could not slow down the Longhorns. When Texas moved from Easton Stadium to Smith Field to play LMU, they still were able to score into the double-digits.
Similar to the other games at the tournament, the momentum shifted quickly. At the top of the fourth, LMU and Texas were 1-1. With Stewart’s hit into left center field, redshirt sophomore outfielder Ashton Maloney and freshman infielder Victoria Hunter ran home to score. Once Texas got going, it was hard for LMU to get it back. Texas scored six more runs, making up an eight-run fourth inning.
Next weekend, Texas will journey across the country to compete in the 2024 Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational in Florida with hopes of extending their winning streak even further.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story misattributed the ranking and has been updated to reflect that. The Texan regrets this error.
