Reese Atwood Makes History as No. 2 Texas Softball Dominates Home Opener
AUSTIN, Texas - On a night when the lights at McCombs Field shined a little brighter, senior slugger Reese Atwood etched her name into Texas Softball history. With a two-run shot to left center in the fourth inning, Atwood launched her 59th career home run - a new program record - as No. 2 Texas cruised to an 11-0 run-rule win over Abilene Christian in five innings.
The blast wasn’t just another stat line; it was the kind of moment that defines a legacy. Atwood, already a cornerstone of the Longhorns' lineup, now stands alone atop the program’s all-time home run leaderboard, surpassing Taylor Hoagland’s mark set back in 2013. Fittingly, it came in front of a home crowd, in a game that showcased everything this Texas team is built on - power, precision, and poise.
Pitching Dominance Continues
Freshman right-hander Hannah Wells got the ball for her third career start and looked every bit the part of a rising star. She tossed four shutout innings, allowing just one hit, striking out five, and walking none.
Even more impressive? She retired 13 of the 14 batters she faced, including three perfect innings.
Wells had complete command, mixing pitches with confidence and working quickly. Her performance marked the third straight shutout for the Texas pitching staff - a testament to both the arms in the circle and the defense behind them.
Senior righty Citlaly Gutierrez came in to close the door in the fifth, surrendering a hit before inducing a game-ending double play. Efficient, clean, and dominant - just the way you draw it up.
Offense Fires on All Cylinders
Texas didn’t just win - it overwhelmed. The Longhorns’ lineup brought the fireworks early and often, with three home runs on the night and production up and down the order. For the sixth straight game, Texas left the yard, and in four of those, they’ve gone deep multiple times.
Senior Leighann Goode got the scoring started with a two-run homer in the first inning - her third of the season - and she didn’t stop there. Goode added an RBI double in the fourth and finished 2-for-3 with three runs driven in. She’s been a tone-setter at the top, and her bat continues to deliver in big spots.
Wells didn’t just shine in the circle - she helped herself at the plate too. The freshman launched a three-run homer in the third, her second of the season, giving Texas a commanding 7-0 lead. That kind of two-way impact is rare, and it’s a glimpse of just how much upside Wells brings to this roster.
Then came the moment of the night - Atwood’s historic homer. With Goode on base, the senior crushed a pitch over the wall in left center, notching her fourth homer of the young season and making history in the process. She finished 1-for-2 with three RBI, adding another chapter to what’s already been a stellar career.
Junior Katie Stewart also made her presence felt, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three runs scored. She was steady behind the plate as well, recording eight putouts and continuing to be a rock defensively.
Viviana Martinez added to the offensive onslaught with a two-run single in the first and a sacrifice fly in the fourth, finishing with three RBI of her own. It was a complete team effort - the kind of offensive depth that makes this Texas squad so dangerous.
What’s Next
With the win, Texas moves to 5-1 on the season and turns its attention to a Friday doubleheader in the Bevo Classic. The Longhorns will face Ohio State at 5 p.m.
CT, followed by Syracuse at 7:30 p.m., both at McCombs Field. The games will be streamed on SEC Network+ with Lincoln Rose and former Texas legend Cat Osterman on the call.
If Thursday night was any indication, this team isn’t just talented - it’s locked in. The bats are hot, the pitching is locked down, and the defense is making all the right plays. And with Reese Atwood rewriting the record books, the Longhorns are showing they’re not just chasing wins - they’re chasing greatness.