After losing to the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2024 Women’s College World series, Texas softball returned with experienced veterans, prospective recruits and a newfound confidence for the game.
Ranked No. 2 by the NCAA going into week four, the Longhorns have maintained a near perfect record so far, with a single loss to No. 18 Stanford during the Hillenbrand Invitational. Texas has shown their adaptability in their impressive debut in the Southeastern Conference while keeping their eyes on the prize.
As the Longhorns make the transition into the SEC, head softball coach Mike White believes that Texas will continue to perform with determination and commitment to redeem themselves against the Sooners. In a preseason interview on Jan. 23, he described his outlook on what he hopes to learn this season and the difference in team chemistry from last year.
“I just have a good feeling about this team,” White said in the interview. “The way they’re reacting together, they feel that they have each other’s backs. It’s probably one of the tightest groups we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
While the Longhorns have breezed through the season so far, their drive to dominate the competition remains the same: stay humble and don’t lose focus.
“Week in, week out, you can’t look past anybody,” White said. “I don’t care who you’re playing, they’re all going to be really tough. There are passionate crowds in the SEC and we’re excited for it.”
Sports management sophomore and one of the student managers for Texas softball, Kayla Rojas, has worked directly with the players and coaches, taking note of the changes that came with a new season and conference. Bringing her love for the game to UT after playing high school softball, Rojas soon found herself collaborating with the best of the best college players when a spot opened up last semester and the team accepted her.
From working behind the scenes to set up equipment, to documenting stats at practices and games, Rojas said the Longhorns’s performance so far has been a reflection of increased support and a positive outlook on fixing mistakes.
“They could be down a few runs or make a big error in one game, but there’s no negative energy,” Rojas said. “They know that the game’s not over and they believe in themselves.”
Rojas noted the team has developed an unwavering drive to succeed and an even more intense competitive mindset when stepping out on the field.
“They don’t care about who they’re playing against or if they’re doing scrimmages against each other, they’re the most competitive,” Rojas said. “Any school that they go up against, they’re willing to compete down to the bone and just win…Texas softball always balls out.”
Government freshman Jasmine Schlinger has also expressed her excitement for Texas softball’s success.
After playing in high school, softball was one of the first sports Schlinger started keeping up with after committing to UT. Now a month into the season, she is looking forward to the Longhorns finally dominating the Sooners in April.
“I’m really excited to go against Oklahoma again,” Schlinger said. “This season they have a lot more chemistry as a team and know how to make each other shine.”
Looking at how Texas has held up so far in the SEC, Schlinger believes they have more determination than ever and has shown themselves to be a standout this season.
“The team is hungry for a revenge season, and that’s reflected in their stats,” Schlinger said. “They’re one of the powerhouse teams right now and they feel that pressure to uphold it.”
Schlinger encourages UT students and softball fans to start watching the Longhorns and support women’s sports.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Schlinger. “I hope more people start appreciating (the team) more because they’re such hard workers and they have good games.”
The Longhorns are set to return home to Austin to play against No. 19 Auburn University on March 21.
