To her it was her dream come true. A sport she loved, playing for a team she loved, in a city she loved. Lexy Bennett, a senior infielder on the Texas softball team, always dreamed of becoming a Longhorn. When she was 5-years-old she started playing T-ball baseball in a youth league in her hometown. She played with the boys until she was 8, and joined a softball league. Growing up in Houston, she fell in love with the Longhorns and said that visiting here on her recruiting visit was “the most exciting feeling ever.”

The physical culture and sports major was a four time all-state selection and two-time most valuable player choice in high school. In her freshman season, she started all but one game, ranking third in batting average on the team and second in hits. Her sophomore year was just as impressive, leading the team in runs scored; however, her junior year was by far the best. In 2011, she led the Big 12 in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage while setting UT records in all three of those categories. A scary moment came when she was hit by a pitch against Iowa State in mid April causing her to miss the last twelve games of the regular season. That wouldn’t stop her though and she came back for the NCAA Austin Regional and is more than ready to go this year.

“It [the arm] feels pretty good right now,” Bennett said. “I got a lot of rehab and rest in the offseason. It feels strong and ready to go. I’m just trying to get back where I was before and work on seeing the ball coming from the pitcher.”

Bennett, one of the three captains on the team this year, is looking forward to a strong season. She stresses that the team needs consistency.

“We need to start strong and stay strong through the whole game,” said Bennett. “We need consistency in every inning, into every game and then carry that through the whole season.”

The Kingwood native has high expectations for her Longhorns this year. After losing the past two years in the NCAA Regionals, she wants the team to win in the regionals and make it to the championship round. She expects an overall great season with no ups and downs, but consistent winning.

On a personal level, she has set the same expectation for herself as she has for the team. She is striving for consistency in every part of the game.

“I need more consistency,” said Bennett. “I want to be good at every at bat and make the most out of them all. I also want to be a leader on and off the field and be a good team player.”

Bennett has one last season ahead of her before she departs the 40 Acres. She wants to become a first grade teacher after she graduates and is pursuing a certification to make that dream come true. Along with that she plans to continue to play softball in a professional league, keeping with the sports she always loved.

Throughout her career at UT, she has had a great time with the team. Her favorite moment during her four years at UT, so far, was when the team won the Big 12 Championship her sophomore year. She almost had to redshirt the season because of an injury to her arm but she couldn’t be happier that it didn’t come to that. Winning the Big 12 Championship that year has a special meaning to her, but she isn’t satisfied just yet. The senior is excited about her last semester and the upcoming season, and if her previous accomplishments are any indication, this season should be the best yet for her and the team.