If fans didn’t get their fill of entertainment watching Texas end every single game at the Longhorn Invitational in a run-rule, watching junior outfielder Kayden Henry play this weekend would certainly satisfy that craving.
In Texas’ game against the Incarnate Word Cardinals, Henry knocked the ball just past the left field fence, nearly hitting the outfield bleachers on its way out. As she approached third base on the three-run home run, Henry made eye contact with head coach Mike White and tapped her left wrist as if she were tapping a watch.
“I’ve been putting along a lot of good at-bats,” Henry said. “It was about time that happened. It was about time we get this game going.”
That playfulness isn’t uncharacteristic for Henry, even with the pressure that comes with being ranked No. 3. One look to centerfield and it’s clear she’s having fun. Between batters, she’s turning to the outfield bleachers and messing with fans. When she’s on base, she’s making jokes with the opposing team’s basemen.
Henry wanted her home run to ignite the team and get the offense confident after a scoreless third inning.
“Being able to get us more runs when we were kind of going a little flat brought the energy back up,” Henry said. “Finally, be like, ‘let’s put the end to this game right now,’ and no more Sunday scaries.”
Compared to the games against St. Bonaventure and Prairie View A&M, the Longhorns had a slower start, with just four runs going into the fourth inning. Sunday’s game was the only game that Texas played more than five innings this weekend, with the Cardinals holding off a mercy-rule ending until senior outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer drove in senior infielder Leighann Goode for a walk-off RBI in the bottom of the sixth inning.
White was feeling positive about how Texas played against Incarnate Word. Texas’ performance on Saturday left something to be desired defensively, but the team cleaned it up going into the last day of the invitational.
“(We can’t) drop our standard just because of who we’re playing,” White said. “We’ve got a lot of people watching, so you’ve got to be proud of the moment that we have right now.”
Even though Henry can be a jokester, when it’s time to make a play, she’s all business. One thing that opposing teams can always count on is that when Henry’s on base, she’s going to make a run for the steal.
In the first 20 games, Henry has stolen 14 bases, and since playing for Texas in 2024, has claimed the season high every year.
This season, though, she has something bigger in mind— breaking the Texas record for stolen bases. She currently sits at 75, and with more than half of her junior season left, the 130 career record held by former outfielder Brejae Washington is in reach for her senior year.
“I trust coach White’s judgment when he does give me those signs, and we’re trying to achieve something for myself this year,” Henry said.
While Henry is working towards her personal goals, she isn’t disregarding the upcoming conference matchups and is looking forward to competing against some new opponents this season.
