<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns celebrate a home run by pitcher Hannah Wells (13) during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) slides to third during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns and Abilene Christian take the field for the National Anthem ahead of the game at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns huddle ahead of the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) grabs a ground ball during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) throws the ball to first during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) steps up to bat during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) celebrates a home run that broke the Longhorns softball career home run record during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) smiles while rounding the bases after a home run that broke the Longhorns softball career home run record during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns celebrate as catcher Reese Atwood (14) runs home after a home run that broke the Longhorns softball career home run record during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns celebrate as catcher Reese Atwood (14) runs home after a home run that broke the Longhorns softball career home run record during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns celebrate after catcher Reese Atwood (14) broke the Longhorns softball career home run record during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns head coach Mike White meets with officials ahead of the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns pitcher Hannah Wells (13) high-fives head coach Mike White after a home run during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Abilene Christian infielder Savannah Crocker (2) misses a catch as Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) slides to second during the game at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Abilene Christian infielder Savannah Crocker (2) misses a catch as Texas Longhorns outfielder Kayden Henry (21) slides to second during the game at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) greets short stop Viviana Martinez (23) ahead of the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) swings at a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) slides home for a score during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) grabs a ground ball during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) hits a home run during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrates a home run during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
The Texas Longhorns celebrate a home run by infielder Leighann Goode (43) during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) catches the ball at first during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) swings at a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Jaycie Nichols (24) slides to first behind Abilene Christian infielder Savannah Crocker during the game at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns pitcher Hannah Wells (13) throws a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) tags first base during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Katie Stewart (2) and catcher Reese Atwood (14) walk to the dugout after two scores during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) throws the ball to the pitcher during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) throws the ball to first for a double play during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) swings at a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) throws a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) swings at a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Abilene Christian infielder Savannah Crocker (2) throws the ball to first after tagging Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) during the game at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrates a hit during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Ashton Maloney (7) bunts the ball during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) throws the ball to infielder Leighann Goode (43) at second during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) swings at a pitch during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns outfielder Taylor Anderson (27) catches a fly ball during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) talks to pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n
Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
While\u00a0Viviana Marinez may not have stepped onto the field for Texas softball<\/a> last season because of a\u00a0knee injury<\/a>, she never strayed far from the action as the Longhorns won their first national championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n Martinez, now a redshirt junior back in the starting lineup at shortstop, shadowed former UT associate head coach\u00a0Steve Singleton<\/a>, who\u2019s now the head coach at California. She encouraged her teammates from the dugout and offered tips to Leighann Goode<\/a> and other Longhorns who filled in at short.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n And, most importantly, she absorbed the motivational messages that head coach Mike White constantly sends to his team, such as the Buddhist concept of \u201cmudita,\u201d <\/a>which is feeling joy in the happiness of others.<\/p>\n \u201cI think one of the biggest things last year that really stuck with me through one of our (motivational) videos we watched was a quote about mudita,\u201d Martinez said before a recent practice. \u201cIt means supporting others’ successes as if it’s your own. And so, I tried to just channel that and be excited for them and all their successes. I was just happy for them.\u201d<\/p>\n When\/where:\u00a0Friday-Sunday in Palo Alto, Calif. Texas vs. No. 16 Arizona (4 p.m. Friday), Texas vs. No. 10 Stanford (7 p.m.)<\/p>\n TV\/radio:\u00a0ESPN+ (Texas-Stanford)<\/p>\n The No. 3 Longhorns (9-1) are certainly pleased to have Martinez back in the lineup as they prepare for a big weekend<\/a> at the DeMarini Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif., which includes matchups with two ranked opponents in Arizona and Stanford. Martinez, who started as a freshman and sophomore, is hitting .350 with 12 RBIs for a team that ranks fifth in the nation with 10.1 runs per game. Better yet, her return has solidified an infield that had some rocky moments even while winning the 2025 title.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cGosh, it’s such a joy to have her back,\u201d said Goode, a senior who\u2019s moved back to second base. \u201cI mean, every time I see her out there, I get excited. Just having her out there, it’s kind of like my other half of me I was missing last year. I had to fill that position for her until she got back. So, it’s just a joy being able to have that good chemistry out there.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE: Texas softball: Where Longhorns rank in Feb. 17 poll after going 5-0 at Bevo Classic<\/a><\/p>\n Texas Longhorns short stop Viviana Martinez (23) and infielder Leighann Goode (43) celebrate a double play during the game against Abilene Christian at Red & Charline McCombs Field on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in Austin.<\/p>\n Aaron E. Martinez\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Katie Stewart: Martinez ‘a keystone’ of Texas softball team<\/p>\n Martinez has been a big part of the Longhorns’ mix since she arrived at Texas as part of a heralded recruiting class in 2022 that includes Goode, record-breaking catcher\u00a0Reese Atwood<\/a> and pitching mainstay Citlaly Gutierrez. Even with her absence last season, Martinez has started 130 of her 134 career games and boasts a career batting average of .360 with 160 RBIs, 84 runs scored and 10 home runs.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Her pop at the plate and steady play in the infield earned her a spot on\u00a0USA Softball\u2019s national team<\/a> in 2023, when it competed in the Japan All-Star Series.<\/p>\n \u201cVivi is just such a keystone to our team, our lineup, our defense,\u201d said first baseman Katie Stewart, a junior in her third year as a starter. \u201cTo have her presence back out there, it’s just very comforting, because we all know Vivi is one of the best shortstops in the country. To have her at short just means everything and just makes us better.\u201d<\/p>\n White has long praised the poise of Martinez, whom he recruited out of the Phoenix, Ariz. suburb of Tolleson. But he said Martinez\u2019 ability to remain connected with the team last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn knee ligament may have impressed him more than any double-play or clutch hit.<\/p>\n \u201cShe really just found so many ways to help the program out,\u201d he said. \u201cWe gave her roles, like talking to the other infielders, (and) she stayed engaged.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Rust on base paths being shaken off<\/p>\n Martinez seems to be engaging more and more with what she can do on the field following her knee surgery. Fully cleared by doctors in October, she hasn\u2019t shown much rust in the field or at the plate after getting plenty of action in fall ball.<\/p>\n \u201cIt (the knee) was a little tight, a little sore, after the games, but I just wasn\u2019t used to playing that much softball,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n But base-running seems like a different matter. Martinez admits that she\u2019s still trying to recover complete confidence in her surgically repaired knee when running the bags. She now dives head-first into a base instead of using a leg-first slide.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cMy knee, it’s taken a toll on my body, and I sometimes overcompensate,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m just getting used to that motion again.\u201d<\/p>\n But that motion seems pretty good early in the season. Martinez has never been a prolific thief on the basepaths \u2014 she had 10 career stolen bases entering this season \u2014 but did get a steal in the season opener\u00a0against Nebraska<\/a>. In last week\u2019s 11-0 win over Abilene Christian<\/a>, she legged out a double on what looked like a long single and then promptly hustled to third on a passed ball, sliding headfirst.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were talking about the fact that she hadn’t slid yet,\u201d White said. \u201cDo I slide feet first or slide headfirst? And she’s decided to go headfirst. It’s a comfort level for her. You never want to get that indecisive kind of move, not sure what you’re going to do, so I\u2019d much rather her be decisive, and we should be fine. She’s playing very well right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Playing at all matters the most for Martinez, even while retaining the selfless tenets of mudita.<\/p>\n \u201cJust playing again with my girls, I think that’s the biggest thing,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m just being grateful being on the field. I think I kind of took it for granted my freshman and my sophomore years, the way it could be taken from you. I\u2019m just being happy to be here and being present.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Texas Longhorns celebrate a home run by pitcher Hannah Wells (13) during the game against Abilene Christian…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":172110,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,46014,63519,537,28703,69590],"class_list":{"0":"post-172109","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-austin","8":"tag-austin","9":"tag-austin-headlines","10":"tag-austin-news","11":"tag-college-softball","12":"tag-mike-white","13":"tag-texas-longhorns","14":"tag-texas-longhorns-softball","15":"tag-vivi-martinez"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172109"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172109\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n