Nonconference season domination is what Texas softball fans expected entering this season, and the team’s record of 19-1 demonstrates the extent to which their expectations were met. However, the Longhorns’ real test begins this weekend in Columbia, S.C.
Texas will kick off Southeastern Conference play against No. 24 South Carolina on Friday at 5 p.m., signifying the start of a more daunting stretch for the team.
Senior catcher Reese Atwood trusts what her team has built through their first few months of play as the Longhorns approach this next phase.
“Honestly, our offense has been amazing, and I think that’s really going to help us in the SEC, but all the way around, I think we’ve done a really solid job this preseason,” Atwood said.
Atwood and junior infielder and catcher Katie Stewart have anchored Texas’ high-performing offense this season, accumulating a combined 20 home runs so far in 2026. Stewart, who is responsible for 11 of those, even hit the window of a nearby apartment unit at the Red & Charline McCombs Field this past weekend.
“I don’t think people realize how strong and how rare it is to have someone with the pure strength that Katie has,” Atwood said about her teammate. “In any moment, I think she’s able to hit every pitch across all parts of the field, which is really impressive.”
Her strength is something the Longhorns will likely lean on during this next stint of their season. Eleven of the top 25-ranked programs in the nation belong to the SEC — that includes the Gamecocks. Despite the Longhorns’ success so far in 2026, head coach Mike White acknowledged that his team’s next opponent will be a difficult one.
“Obviously (Gamecocks senior pitcher Jori) Heard is their ace right now … so we’re going to have to be prepared for that one, but (South Carolina) also has several other pitchers that are going to bring different stuff to the table,” White said.
Facing talented pitchers gives his players the opportunity to prove they can hit off anyone, allowing them to build confidence against tough opposing pitchers. Now, he just has to work on creating a similar level of depth and confidence within his own pitching staff to relieve junior pitcher Teagan Kavan of some of the pressure she can be under at times in the circle.
“I think it’s going to be a matter of them picking each other up,” White said. “There’s going to be times when Teagan may not be successful in game one or three, and when you need to get someone to come in and close the door and help out. And we can’t put all that pressure on one pitcher.”
Pitchers in the conversation include freshman Hannah Wells, sophomore Cambria Salmon and senior Citlaly Gutierrez. They have each earned substantial minutes so far, but upcoming SEC matchups will reveal which of them is prepared to step into a more prominent role.
The Longhorns leave the nonconference season with fond memories, but the SEC brings a whole new set of challenges starting on Friday.