The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
2-0
#25 Washington
1-2
No. 1 Softball splits ranked doubleheader
02.07.2026 | Softball
The Longhorns defeated No. 25 Washington, 11-6, before falling to No. 9 Nebraska, 8-5.
SAN ANTONIO – No. 1 Texas Softball (2-1) split its doubleheader against No. 25 Washington (1-2) and No. 9 Nebraska (2-1) Saturday afternoon at Roadrunner Field. Texas defeated No. 25 Washington, 11-6, in game one before falling to No. 9 Nebraska, 8-5, in game two.
Texas is now 2-1 on the season after facing three top-25 teams, including two games against No. 9 Nebraska – splitting those games with the Cornhuskers.
Game 1
In a back-and-forth affair vs. No. 25 Washington, the Longhorns came out on top thanks to a sixth-run sixth inning, propelling the Horns to an 11-6 victory over the Huskies.
Junior RHP Teagan Kavan (1-0) earned her first win of the season after entering a tied (5-5) ballgame in the top of the fifth with two outs and a runner on first. Kavan then issued her first strikeout of the day to end the frame. The right-hander twirled the final 2.1 innings, limiting the Huskies to an unearned run and one hit while dialing up four strikeouts. In the sixth, Washington took a 6-5 lead on a passed ball, but that lead didn't last for long.
The Longhorns rallied back in the sixth inning after putting up a six-spot. To commence the bottom of the frame, senior second baseman Leighann Goode reached via walk and then advanced to second following freshman Jaycie Nichols' one-out walk. Senior right fielder Ashton Maloney connected on an RBI single through the right side to score Goode from second to even the score at 6-6. Later with two outs, junior shortstop Viviana Martinez bashed an RBI single to the left field wall, scoring Nichols from second to regain the Texas lead at 7-6. A wild pitch pushed Maloney and Martinez to second and third with two outs. Senior designated player Reese Atwood then rocketed a two-RBI single to center to plate both for a 9-6 advantage. Junior catcher Katie Stewart cracked a two-run home run – her second home run of the season – to stretch the lead to 11-6.
Kavan and the defense retired the side in the top of the seventh to secure the 11-6 victory in game one. Sophomore RHP Cambria Salmon started the game – her first start of the season – and went 4.2 innings, surrendering four earned runs on five hits while punching out three.
Offensively, Texas was energized off the bat of Atwood, who totaled a team-high four RBI on a two-for-three performance at the dish. Atwood recorded her second home run of the season and the 57th of her career in the bottom of the first after smashing a two-run shot to put the Longhorns in front 2-0. Freshman Hannah Wells hit her first career long ball, a three-run blast, in the fourth to break an even 2-2 game and put the Horns in front, 5-2. Ashton Maloney registered a multi-hit game after going 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
Game 2
In a rematch from Friday night, No. 9 Nebraska utilized four-run first and third innings to hand Texas its first loss.
Nebraska jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a pair of home runs. In the bottom half of the inning, Texas trimmed the lead to 4-2 thanks to a wild pitch and Atwood RBI single to left.
Both teams were held scoreless in the second before Nebraska increased its lead to 8-2 on two home runs in the third.
Texas answered back in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch followed by a Leighann Goode two-run home run – her second home run of the season – to bring the Horns within three runs at 8-5.
The Longhorns gave themselves opportunities to score in the game's final four innings while making solid contact but ultimately stranded six runners.
Freshman RHP Hannah Wells made her first collegiate start, giving up seven runs on seven hits while striking out two across two innings. Sophomore LHP Brenlee Gonzales made her Longhorn debut and pitched an inning of relief. Gonzales retired three of four batters faced in the third and gave up a solo home run.
Sophomore RHP Cambria Salmon simmered Nebraska's bats in the game's final 4.0 innings. Salmon retired all 12 batters she faced while fanning three.
Leighann Goode led Texas offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a two-run home run. Reese Atwood turned in another strong outing after going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Freshman Jaycie Nichols put together her first career multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a double. Ashton Maloney, Kayden Henry, Viviana Martinez, Katie Stewart and Alisa Sneed recorded a hit apiece.
Up Next
The Texas Longhorns close out the UTSA Invitational with a doubleheader Sunday beginning at 12:35 p.m. CT vs. No. 25 Washington. Following the Huskies, Texas will end the weekend with a 3:05 p.m. duel vs. UTSA. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kavan, Teagan (1-0)
L: Ryan Maddox (0-1)
Batting:
HR: Giselle Alvarez 1
RBI: Giselle Alvarez 3 ; Gabi Toney 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ava Carroll 1 ; Jing Gardner 1 ; Giselle Alvarez 2 ; Jade Bubke 1 ; Gabi Toney 1
SB: Ava Carroll 1
HBP: Sophi Mazzola 2 ; Gabi Toney 1
Batting:
2B: Henry, Kayden 1
HR: Atwood, Reese 1 ; Stewart, Katie 1 ; Wells, Hannah 1
RBI: Maloney, Ashton 1 ; Martinez, Viviana 1 ; Atwood, Reese 4 ; Stewart, Katie 2 ; Wells, Hannah 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Maloney, Ashton 1 ; Henry, Kayden 1 ; Martinez, Viviana 1 ; Atwood, Reese 2 ; Bennett, Kaydee 1 ; Stewart, Katie 1 ; Goode, Leighann 2 ; Wells, Hannah 1 ; Nichols, Jaycie 1
