After falling to then-No. 9 Nebraska in the first invitational of the season, there were questions about Texas softball’s ability to defend its national title without its former stars. However, the Longhorns’ 26-game win streak, a program record, indicates that they’re doing just fine.
Softball America has Texas ranked No. 1 for the first time this season, mainly due to its dominance against unranked and ranked opponents alike. The Longhorns have sent their opponents packing early in 16 run-rules this season, an increase from last season, when they ended 13 games by run-rule through the same number of games.
Entering the 2026 season, there were doubts about whether anyone could fill the shoes of former Texas third baseman Mia Scott.
Scott was an integral part of Texas’ first National Championship, so the hole left after her departure worried fans. Enter freshman infielder Jaycie Nichols.
Through 29 games, Nichols has registered 47 assists and 24 put-outs with just four errors. It isn’t just her stats that impress veterans like senior catcher Reese Atwood and junior infielder and catcher Katie Stewart, though — it’s her knowledge of the game.
“She came out, and she has a true knowledge of the game,” Atwood said. “It’s really impressive to see her knowing that, just coming in, starting and being able to do it with ease.”
Head coach Mike White knew replacing Scott would be difficult, but he had high hopes for Nichols. Since the season started, she has continued to impress him with the short game in the infield.
“I thought (Nichols) was going to be good, but she’s really surprised me on how well she’s playing,” White said.
Freshman pitcher and utility Hannah Wells entered the Texas roster with a lot of eyes on her. Being behind an ace as skilled as junior pitcher Teagan Kavan brings a lot of pressure, but Wells has grown into her role on the team as the season progresses.
In 27.1 innings, Wells has registered a 2.05 ERA, just above Kavan’s 1.89. Against the first two conference opponents, South Carolina and Ole Miss, Wells gave up no earned runs on five hits. Against Baylor this past weekend, White wanted to see growth from Wells with some more challenging conference matchups ahead.
“We’ve been looking for her to regain some control,” White said. “We challenged her to work ahead and to not give up the easy free passes.”
Wells has also found her place in the batting order, hitting regularly in the six hole. In game two against Ole Miss, Wells hit a walk-off home run to end the game in six innings. In 52 at-bats, she’s recorded a .308 batting average, including six home runs.
While Wells and Nichols are now established starters, freshmen like outfielder Alisa Sneed and infielders MaTaia Lawson and Caigan Crabtree get opportunities in the lineup as pinch hitters when Texas has a strong lead over its opponents.
Sneed has shown potential in the outfield and behind the plate. Against St. Bonaventure on Feb. 28, Sneed secured her first home run and grand slam, leading Texas to a 12-2 victory over the Bonnies. For Crabtree’s first hit, she smashed a ball past the fence against UTSA to secure the run-rule victory. Lawson has registered a .302 batting average across 43 at-bats.
“We keep telling (the freshmen) to be ready,” White said. “They keep pushing for spots, and they don’t give in.”
