The Texas Longhorns celebrate their 9-8 win over Texas A&M in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) slides home, scoring the game-winning run, as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) retrieves a hit as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns utility Kaiah Altmeyer (44) catches a hit as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns utility Katie Stewart (20) motions to throw to second base as Texas A&M Aggies catcher Madison Sauni (92) passes first base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies starting pitcher Sidne Peters (2) pitches as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies outfielder Paislie Allen (11) throws infield as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) dives and catches a hit as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) hits a home run as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) watches the ball soar as she hits a home run as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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The Longhorns celebrate a home run from Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns starting pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) pitches as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) throws infield as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Frankie Vrazel (8) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kennedy Powell (1) runs to first base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns utility Katie Stewart (20) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kk Dement (16) looks to pass the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kk Dement (16) passes the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies infielder Micaela Wark (14) tags out Texas Longhorns utility Katie Stewart (20) at first base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies catcher Ariel Kowalewski (47) looks to pass as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns starting pitcher/relief pitcher Hannah Wells (13) hits the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas A&M Aggies infielder Frankie Vrazel (8) runs to first base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns utility Taylor Anderson (27) reacts to scoring a run as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Mataia Lawson (3) celebrates Texas Longhorns utility Taylor Anderson (27) scoring a run as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns utility Leighann Goode (43) throws to first base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Micaela Wark (14) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns utility Leighann Goode (43) prepares for the next play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies outfielder Kelsey Mathis (99) catches a fly ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Tallen Edwards (44) reacts to a play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas fans cheer as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
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Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) slides into second base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kk Dement (16) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Paislie Allen (11) attempts to bunt the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies catcher Madison Sauni (92) bats at the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Aggies react to a play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns relief pitches Victoria Hunter (12) pitches as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kennedy Powell (1) bats at the ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) and Texas Longhorns utility Kaiah Altmeyer (44) celebrate a play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kennedy Powell (1) takes to the field during the seventh inning as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kk Dement (16) takes to the field during the seventh inning as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Mya Perez (24) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Kennedy Powell (1) bats as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies infielder Paislie Allen (11) throws infield after catching a fly ball as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas A&M Aggies relief pitcher Grace Sparks (32) pitches as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns utility Kaydee Bennett (5) smiles at second base as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
A day after Texas softball used its big bats to beat rival Texas A&M in the first game of a three-game series Friday at McCombs Field in Austin, the Longhorn defense stepped into the spotlight.
All-American catcher Reese Atwood threw out two baserunners for the first time in her decorated career as the Longhorns beat Texas A&M 3-2 Saturday to secure the SEC series. The No. 1 Longhorns (31-1, 8-0) extended their school-record winning streak to 29 games and will enter Sunday’s series finale at 1 p.m. against Texas A&M in sole possession of first place in the SEC after LSU’s Saturday win over Oklahoma.
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Aggies react to a play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Atwood had plenty of company when it came to defensive gems. Freshman Jaycie Nichols continued to show off her defense with four assists at third base, and right-fielder Ashton Maloney gunned down Texas A&M’s Kelsey Mathis at second base after what looked like a leadoff double off the right-field wall in the top of the fourth inning.
That defense proved enough for freshman Hannah Wells to earn the win after allowing seven hits, four walks and two earned runs in 5⅔ innings. Ace Teagan Kavan relieved Wells with two on and two outs in the top of the sixth inning and promptly induced a two-out pop fly by Maddie Sauni to end the frame. She also fanned Aggie slugger and noted Longhorn nemesis Mya Perez to end the game and secure her second save of the season.
Shortstop Viviana Martinez and Atwood erased an early 1-0 Aggie lead with back-to-back RBIs in the second inning, but No. 16 Texas A&M (23-11, 5-3) evened the score with an RBI single from Micaela Wark in the third inning. Atwood did more than throw out Aggies; the Longhorns’ all-time leader in RBIs and home runs hammered her 68th career home run in the bottom of the third to recapture the lead for Texas, and Texas A&M would never again get past second base.
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Read below for a replay and highlights from Saturday as the Texas Longhorns beat the Texas A&M Aggies in game two of the series.
Texas Longhorns infielder Viviana Martinez (23) reacts to a play as Texas and Texas A&M face off in game one of the Lone Star Showdown series at McCombs Field in Austin, Friday, March 27, 2026. The Longhorns won game one of the series 9-8.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Another nice play by Jaycie Nichols at third base gives Texas its first out, and Teagan Kavan takes care of the rest, including fanning Aggie slugger Mya Perez to end the game. Texas leans on its defense to extend its winning streak to 29 games and ensure a series win against their rivals.
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Pinch runner Taylor Anderson is caught stealing, and no insurance for Texas. Teagan Kavan will try and get a save and a Texas win in the top of the seventh.
Teagan Kavan does her job, inducing a two-out pop fly by Maddie Sauni to end the inning. Can Texas add some needed insurance?
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With two on and two out, Texas coach Mike White turns to ace Teagan Kavan in relief of Hannah Wells, who ends the game by allowing seven hits, four walks and two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Kayden Henry leads off with a bunt single and steals her 21st base of the year, which leads the SEC. The Texas centerfielder is deadly on the bags. But Aggie starter Sydney Lessentine has pitched well while holding Texas to four hits, and she fans Reese Atwood for the third out.
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Texas catcher Reese Atwood picks off her second runner of the game after a lead-off single by Frankie Vrazel, which helps starter Hannah Wells escape an inning in which she allowed two hits. In nine of the past 10 games between these rivals in Austin, it’s come down to one run. And we’re on track for another nail-biter.
Texas’s Jaycie Nichols gets stranded at second. Can Longhorn starter Hannah Wells continue to fend off a potent Aggie lineup, and when will Texas coach Mike White turn to Citlaly Gutierrez, Cambria Salmon or someone else in the Texas bullpen?
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A brilliant play by right-fielder Ashton Maloney helps Texas starter Hannah Wells work through a scoreless inning. Kelsey Mathis hammered a leadoff single off the right-field wall, but Maloney reads it perfectly and guns down Mathis with a dart to shortstop Vivi Martinez at second. Wells does the rest and ends the frame with back-to-back strikeouts.
Oh, my, Reese Atwood. She sends a moon shot over the left-field wall that just stays in for the solo homer. That’s her 68th career home run, which extends her own school record. Aggie starter Sydney Lessentine had retired eight straight Longhorns before Atwood struck again.
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Micaela Wark, the Oklahoma State transfer, beats the shift with a two-out RBI single into right field. Texas third baseman Jaycie Nichols ends the frame with a nice throw, but the Aggies even the game with their third hit against Texas starter Hannah Wells.
Aggie starter Sydney Lessentine works a 1-2-3 inning and has retired six straight batters after that rocky start in the first.
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It’s not just the bat that makes Texas catcher Reese Atwood an All-American. With runners on the corners and two outs, Atwood pump-fakes a throw to first before slinging it to third to pick off Kelsey Mathis for the third out. What a huge play for Atwood.
No rest for the weary. Sydney Lessentine got the start for the Aggies yesterday and gave up five hits and five runs in 2 1/3 innings. It’s more of the same as she starts game two; Vivi Martinez is now 5-for-5 in the series after hitting her fifth RBI in the past two games, and Reese Atwood adds an RBI single. But Lessentine gets out of a 2-on, 0-out jam with a pair of strikeouts and a weak grounder by Kaiah Altmeyer.
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Texas freshman Hannah Wells may be showing some nerves in her first true pressure-packed start of her career. She gives up a hit and a walk and plunks a batter as the Aggies take an early lead on a sacrifice fly by Tallen Edwards. But an Aggie miscue on a sac fly leads to the third out when Ariel Kowalewski gets tagged out at third.
Freshman Hannah Wells gets the start as Texas coach Mike White throws a curveball with a late lineup change. The hero at the plate in game one, Wells is 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA in the circle. She has 24 strikeouts with 11 walks in 27 1/3 innings, and opponents are hitting just .210 against the right-hander.
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Oklahoma had its 22-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 3-1 win by LSU. The Sooners’ first SEC loss means Texas will gain sole possession of first place in the conference race with a win vs. the Aggies. Florida, Alabama and Texas A&M are tied for third place in the loss column with two apiece.
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SpotPos# PlayerBatsAvg1cf21 Kayden HenryL.42222b43 Leighann GoodeR.4593ss23 Viviana MartinezL.4064c14 Reese AtwoodR.37851b20 Katie StewartR.4946dp13 Hannah WellsR.2887lf44 Kaiah AltmeyerL.36583b24 Jaycie NicholsR.3519rf7 Ashton MaloneyL.31210p25 Cambria SalmonR-
SpotPos# PlayerBatsAvg13b1 Kennedy PowellL.4442dp24 Mya PerezL.4943c47 Ariel KowalewskiL.38441b14 Micaela WarkR.34452b44 Tallen EdwardsL.3796cf99 Kelsey MathisR.3287ss16 KK DementR.3048lf11 Paislie AllenR.2549rf8 Frankie VrazelL.35910p7 Sydney LessentineR
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Where: McCombs Field in Austin
TV/radio: ESPN2; texaslonghorns.com
Reach Texas beat reporter Thomas Jones via email at tjones@statesman.com.
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