Atwood sets program’s career home run record in No. 2 Softball’s run-rule victory over Abilene Christian

Thursday, February 12

Austin, Texas

6 p.m. CT

University of Texas

5-1

Abilene Christian

0-8

Abilene Christian

Texas

Reese Atwood touches home following her program-record breaking 59th career home run.

Atwood sets program’s career home run record in No. 2 Softball’s run-rule victory over Abilene Christian

02.12.2026 | Softball

Box Score

Reese Atwood breaks programs career home run record with 59.

By: Miles Schuk Ehler & Grace Tafolla

AUSTIN, Texas – Highlighted by senior Reese Atwood's program-record 59th career home run, No. 2 Texas Softball (5-1) won its home opener, 11-0 (5 inn.), against Abilene Christian (0-8) Thursday night at McCombs Field.

Atwood made history by breaking the program's career home run record, hitting her 59th career long ball and fourth of the season. Atwood hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the fourth to establish a new program record. The previous record was set by Taylor Hoagland in 2013.

Freshman RHP Hannah Wells and senior RHP Citlaly Gutierrez combined for a two-hit shutout, which marked the Texas pitching staff's third-consecutive shutout. Wells (2-1) earned the win in her third career start, tossing 4.0 scoreless frames while curbing Abilene Christian to just one hit and fanning five. Wells did not allow a walk and retired 13-of-14 batters faced while tossing three 1-2-3 innings. Gutierrez took over in the top of the fifth and held Abilene Christian to just one base hit before retiring the next two batters to seal the win. Abilene Christian hit into a double play to end the game. Backing up Wells and Gutierrez in the circle, Texas' defense played flawlessly on the night.

Texas' bats remained hot throughout the game. Five different Longhorns recorded least one base knock, and the Horns combined for three home runs. UT has registered at least one home run in each of its six games this season. With three home runs tonight vs. Abilene Christian, Texas has hit multiple home runs in four of six games this season. In the bottom of the fourth, Atwood broke the 13-year-old program career home run record with a swing over left center field, smashing her fourth home run of the season. Atwood finished the game batting 1-for-2 with three RBI.

In addition to Atwood's record-breaking home run, senior Leighann Goode recorded her third home run of the season – a two-run shot in the first – and finished the game 2-for-3 with a three RBI. Meanwhile, junior Katie Stewart scored three runs, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and contributed defensively with eight putouts. Wells, a two-way standout freshman, helped her own cause after propelling a three-run home run over left field for her second home run of the season.

How it Happened

Bottom 1: Leighann Goode put Texas on the board with a two-run homer to left field.
Bottom 1: Viviana Martinez singled to right field, driving in Katie Stewart and Reese Atwood, bringing the score 4-0.
Bottom 3: Hannah Wells blasted a three-run homer to left field, pushing the Longhorns to a 7-0 lead.
Bottom 4: Leighann Goode doubled down the left field line, scoring Ashton Maloney and extending the lead 8-0.
Bottom 4: Reese Atwood smoked her program-record 59th career home run to left center, driving in Goode, and putting the Longhorns ahead 10-0.
Bottom 4: Viviana Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in one run. Stewart scored on the throw.

The Longhorns continue the Bevo Classic with a doubleheader Friday vs. Ohio State at 5 p.m. CT followed by Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. at McCombs Field. Both games will be available on SEC Network+ with Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and Cat Osterman (analyst) on the call.