As non-conference play begins this Friday, the reigning national champions will face a critical early test. Texas softball will take the field with a blend of experienced veterans and a group of talented newcomers, looking to establish momentum early in the season.
The Longhorns have never started the season ranked No. 1. While the team is in unfamiliar territory being at the top this early in the season, head coach Mike White is confident his team is prepared for the pressure this season will bring.
“We were always the hunted,” White said. “We’ve got to make sure that we go out and play our game and not worry about what they’re going to do.”
With 12 Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top 25, Texas will have to utilize its non-conference schedule to prepare its players and test its depth. Here’s a look at three teams that will test the Longhorns early in the season.
No. 9 Nebraska, Feb. 6-7
Texas will open the season against Nebraska at the UTSA Invitational, kicking off the road back to the Women’s College World Series with a matchup that will test every aspect of the Longhorns’ roster: pitching, hitting and defense.
Nebraska has a roster built on experience and athleticism, with all eyes on senior outfielder Hannah Coor. Coor entered the transfer portal at the end of last year after winning three national championships with Oklahoma. Texas will face an immediate challenge in keeping her off the bases.
“I expect Nebraska to be in the top five or six by the time the season ends,” White said. “They’ve got just about their whole lineup back, so I think they’re going to be a tough matchup.”
Ohio State, Feb. 13-14
The Buckeyes are set to come to Austin for the Bevo Classic, and while Ohio State didn’t crack the top 25, it garnered 23 votes in the D1 Softball poll.
Texas junior pitcher Teagan Kavan will face an experienced lineup of hitters that is ready to break their own 2025 Big Ten record of 147 home runs in a single season. Returning junior outfielder Hadley Parisien had an impressive 21 home runs and 45 RBIs last year and is known for her discipline at the plate.
Offensively, Texas will need to generate early pressure and take advantage of both scoring opportunities and defensive errors. The Longhorns will also need to avoid giving Ohio State an early lead. The Bevo Classic will give fans a glimpse of how Texas has developed in the offseason and how the freshmen will fit in the lineup.
No. 17 Stanford, Feb. 20
The Longhorns will travel to Palo Alto, California, to compete in the DeMarini Invitational. Among the teams competing is Stanford, a team that bested Texas last year at the Hillenbrand Invitational. Matchups between the Longhorns and Cardinals are always a battle, no matter the ranking or roster depth. Since 2024, Texas has a 3-2 record against Stanford, which used to boast Texas Tech star pitcher, senior NiJaree Canaday.
“Our depth is so deep this year and it’s exciting to see,” senior catcher Reese Atwood said. “We have a lot of great athletes that are going to step up and take on that role, and it’s really cool to see a lot of them being newcomers.”
Facing a team like Stanford on the road will test the Longhorns’ focus and resilience, but given the chemistry, Texas believes it can rise to the occasion and make a statement early.
