Texas softball is intent on picking up where it left off from last season. After back-to-back NCAA Women’s College World Series Championship wins, all the buzz around the team is the prospect of a three-peat. For that to happen, holes needed to be filled from key departures on the pitching staff.

Most notably, former Texas pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez graduated after four seasons with the Longhorns. Gutierrez was an important piece on the Longhorns pitching staff last season, pitching 84.2 innings, second most on the team, along with a 2.23 ERA and striking out 58 batters while only walking 22. In the Longhorns’ National Championship win, she allowed just one run in four and one in third innings in their second game versus Texas Tech.

Another loss on the pitching staff was junior Cambria Salmon, who transferred to UCLA over the off-season after posting a 2.12 ERA in 39.2 innings last year.

With two strong options leaving, Texas head coach Mike White needed to find a consistent second arm to be the reinforcement behind senior ace Teagan Kavan. White believes he has four solid pitchers to fill out the staff.

In Texas’ scrimmage against Texas State on Tuesday, four of the five pitchers made appearances, finishing off the Bobcats in eight innings. After Kavan started the game, sophomore Hannah Wells replaced her in the third, and gave a performance that impressed White.

“Hannah Wells is looking a lot better, a lot more efficient,” White said. Wells retired all six batters that she faced on Tuesday.

Junior Brenlee Gonzales replaced Wells in the fifth inning, also with an impressive effort. Gonzales’ pitching style can allow her to be a wild card pitcher that confuses batters. Her change-up was on full display against the Bobcats on Tuesday.

“Brenlee Gonzales is a left-hander, got a little bit of off-speed stuff,” White said.

While Wells and Gonzales are returners looking to build off their previous years, the staff also has two new additions who can make an impact for the Longhorns.

Freshman Madi Doty is an incoming five-star recruit, ranked as the second best pitcher and fifth best overall player in the nation, according to On3. Doty finished out Tuesday’s contest by allowing just one hit in two innings. Junior Samantha Lincoln is also a new addition, transferring after two seasons playing for Texas Tech. She impressed in the first fall scrimmage, but was unable to play on Tuesday.

White expressed his pleasure with how the off-season has progressed for his pitchers and coaches.

“I challenge them to work ahead and win the 1-1 counts,” White said. “I think Coach (Pattie Ruth Taylor) is working really well with them right now, and just getting them to use their pitches and work ahead.”

After winning her second consecutive Most Outstanding Player award in the Women’s College World Series, Kavan is also taking a leadership role in her senior season, stressing a similar philosophy of having younger players keep it simple.

“It’s the same 60 feet,” Kavan said. “So staying in yourself and knowing that you are confident in how you got here.”