Texas Softball Enters 2026 as the Team to Beat, Again
There’s a new season on the horizon, but the same team sits atop the mountain: Texas Softball is once again the preseason No. 1 in the NFCA/GoRout Coaches Poll. That’s back-to-back years the Longhorns have opened the season as the top-ranked squad in the country-and with 21 first-place votes in their pocket, it’s not hard to see why.
Texas Tech, last season’s national runner-up, isn’t far behind, landing at No. 2 with 10 first-place votes. The rivalry is already simmering before the first pitch of 2026. The two programs also shared the top spot in ESPN.com/USA Softball’s preseason poll, while Texas claimed the No. 1 ranking outright in D1Softball’s preseason rankings and slotted in at No. 2 in Softball America’s poll.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t just about preseason hype. Texas is coming off a historic 2025 campaign that saw the Longhorns capture their first-ever Women’s College World Series National Championship.
Their 56-12 record wasn’t just impressive-it was record-breaking. That 56-win mark set a new single-season high for the program, surpassing the 55-win seasons of 2006 and 2024.
And they didn’t just sneak by in the postseason-they bulldozed their way to a 10-2 run, capped by a winner-take-all Game 3 victory over Texas Tech in the Championship Series.
Offensively, Texas was a juggernaut. They led all of Division I in base hits (630), ranked second in RBI (460), and finished third in both batting average (.352) and total runs scored (486).
And it didn’t stop there-they cracked the top 15 nationally in a host of other categories, including slugging percentage (.583), home runs (94), shutouts (15), and ERA (2.55). This was a team that could hurt you in every phase of the game.
And now, they’re bringing back a loaded roster.
Star Power Returns to Austin
At the heart of this title defense are two returning NFCA All-Americans: catcher/utility Reese Atwood and right-hander Teagan Kavan. Atwood had a 2025 season for the ages, becoming the first Longhorn to ever win both the Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year and the Johnny Bench Award. She’s the anchor behind the plate and a force in the batter’s box.
Kavan, meanwhile, was dominant in the circle and gives Texas a true ace to lean on. But she’s not alone. The Longhorns also return All-SEC Second Team selections in outfielders Kayden Henry and Ashton Maloney, and infielder Katie Stewart-all of whom played key roles in last year’s run.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated returns, though, is shortstop Viviana Martinez. After missing the 2025 season with an injury, she’s back and ready to make an impact.
In 2024, she was one of the most dynamic players in the country, slashing .376/.431/.586 with 70 hits, 18 doubles, and 52 RBI. She also held down the infield with a .932 fielding percentage and 74 putouts.
If she returns to form, Texas just gets that much scarier.
New Faces, Same High Expectations
Texas didn’t just stand pat this offseason. They hit the transfer portal hard and brought in some serious reinforcements.
Outfielder Kaiah Altmeyer comes over from Arizona with three years of starting experience and a career slash line of .355/.548/.484. She’s a proven producer with 114 career hits and 91 RBI.
Joining her in the outfield is Taylor Anderson, who showed flashes of potential during her freshman year at Oklahoma State. And in the circle, Brenlee Gonzales adds depth after a solid freshman campaign at Texas Tech, where she posted a 2.84 ERA across 12.1 innings.
Depth is the name of the game, and Texas has it. Infielder Leighann Goode returns after a 10-homer, 43-RBI season.
Outfielder Kaydee Bennett is back as well, bringing speed and versatility. In the circle, Citlaly Gutierrez (2.56 ERA, 10-1 record) and Cambria Salmon (2.48 ERA, 7-2 record) round out one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country.
And don’t sleep on the freshman class. Texas added seven newcomers, including promising infielders Caigan Crabtree and MaTaia Lawson, outfielder Alisa Sneed, and RHP/utility Hannah Wells. The Longhorns also added RHP Sophia Bordi via transfer in December, though she won’t be eligible to play this season.
The Road Ahead
Texas opens its 2026 season on February 6 at the UTSA Invitational, where they’ll face off against No. 9 Nebraska in San Antonio. It’s a heavyweight matchup right out of the gate, and a chance for the Longhorns to show that last year’s dominance wasn’t a one-time thing.
The NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 31 head coaches representing each D-I conference, and the first regular season update will drop on February 10. If Texas handles business early, expect them to stay perched at the top.
For now, all eyes are on Austin. The Longhorns aren’t just defending champions-they’re the standard.
And with the firepower they’ve got coming back, they’re not just looking to repeat. They’re looking to build a dynasty.