Reese Atwood Powers No. 2 Texas Softball to Dominant Weekend, Earns National Honors
AUSTIN, Texas - Reese Atwood is picking up right where she left off - rewriting the record books and stacking up accolades. The senior slugger for No. 2 Texas Softball was named D1Softball’s National Player of the Week for the third time in her career, following a monster performance at the UTSA Invitational that reminded everyone why she’s one of the most feared hitters in college softball.
This is Atwood’s first national weekly honor of the 2026 season, but she’s no stranger to the spotlight. She earned the same recognition twice last year and just added her first-ever SEC Player of the Week award on Feb.
- It’s her fifth overall conference honor, with four coming during Texas’ Big 12 days before the move to the SEC.
And if this opening weekend is any indication, Atwood is ready to dominate her new conference the same way she did the last one.
A Statement Start in San Antonio
Texas went 4-1 at the UTSA Invitational, notching three top-25 wins - including a statement-making, 15-10 slugfest over No. 9 Nebraska to open the season.
Atwood started all five games and led the charge at the plate, tying the program’s all-time home run record with her 58th career blast during a two-run shot against UTSA on Feb. 8.
She now stands as the NCAA’s active leader in both career home runs (58) and RBIs (232). That’s not just impressive - it’s historic.
Across the five-game stretch, Atwood put together a slash line that jumps off the page: .500 batting average, 1.063 slugging, .600 on-base percentage. She hammered three home runs, drove in 10 runs, scored seven times, and collected eight hits. She also drew three walks, got hit by a pitch, stole a base, and totaled 17 bases - all while playing solid defense behind the plate and at first base.
She had four multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games, and she was clutch when it mattered most - going 6-for-9 with runners in scoring position and reaching base in three of her four leadoff opportunities. That’s the kind of production that changes games - and wins them.
Breaking Down the Highlights
Let’s take a closer look at how Atwood’s weekend unfolded:
- **Feb. 6 vs. No.
9 Nebraska:** In a high-scoring opener, Atwood went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Her solo shot in the seventh inning gave Texas some breathing room late and capped off a gritty win over a top-10 opponent.
- **Feb. 7 vs. No.
25 Washington:** Atwood wasted no time making her presence felt, launching a two-run homer in the first inning. She finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a walk, including a key two-run single in the sixth that helped Texas pull away.
- Feb. 7 rematch vs. Nebraska: Atwood stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. Even when the Longhorns weren’t lighting up the scoreboard, she found ways to contribute.
- Feb. 8 vs. No. 25 Washington: She didn’t need to swing much in this one, but she still made an impact, drawing a walk and scoring a run in a 5-0 win.
- Feb. 8 vs. UTSA: Atwood capped her weekend with a 2-for-4 performance, including her record-tying 58th home run - a no-doubter in the fifth inning that added to Texas’ lead. She drove in two runs, scored twice, and added another walk for good measure.
What’s Next
Now, the Longhorns return home for the Bevo Classic, set for Feb. 12-15 at McCombs Field. Texas opens the tournament against Abilene Christian at 6 p.m.
CT on Thursday, Feb. 12.
All six games will be streamed on SEC Network+, giving fans a front-row seat to watch Atwood continue her tear through the early season.
If the opening weekend was any indication, Reese Atwood isn’t just swinging for records - she’s swinging for Omaha.