The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 1 Softball’s Atwood named Softball America’s Defender of the Week
03.31.2026 | Softball
The senior catcher had several highlight-worthy plays at catcher, including a no-look pickoff to third vs. No. 15 Texas A&M.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 1 Texas Softball (31-2) senior catcher Reese Atwood was named Softball America's Defender of the Week, the publication announced Tuesday morning. It's Atwood's second national weekly honor of the season and first since earning D1Softball's National Player of the Week on Feb. 10.
Atwood was tabbed the SEC's Player of the Week on Feb. 9. It's Texas' third national weekly honor of the season. In addition to Atwood receiving D1Softball's National Player of the Week on Feb. 10, junior RHP Teagan Kavan garnered D1Softball's National Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 24. Atwood was the 2025 NFCA Catcher of the Year, the Johnny Bench Award winner and a unanimous First-Team All-American.
Atwood guided Texas to a 3-1 week, including a Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown series win vs. No. 15 Texas A&M on March 27-29. Atwood made several highlight-worthy plays behind the plate, including a no-look pickoff to third base against the Aggies on March 27.
Atwood played flawless defense across four games, recording 22 putouts and three assists, throwing out two would-be base stealers and second and registering a no-look pickoff at third base.
a no-look pickoff from the nation's best catcher, Reese Atwood 😮💨🔥#HookEm pic.twitter.com/kxLzXg7mqL
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 28, 2026
if at first you don't succeed… don't try Reese again 🎯#HookEm pic.twitter.com/wrHG5vp7L1
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 28, 2026
again... the nation's best catcher ❌#HookEm pic.twitter.com/rSo541Cn25
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) March 28, 2026
The Sandia, Texas, native holds a .988 fielding percentage and has not allowed a passed ball this season.
Offensively over the four-game stretch, Atwood slashed .385/.1.077/.429 with five hits, three home runs, four RBI, three runs scored, 14 total bases, one walk and one stolen base.
In 33 games this season, Atwood is hitting at a .393 clip with a .944 slugging percentage and a .495 on-base percentage. The senior has compiled 35 hits, 14 home runs and 44 RBI. Atwood and junior Katie Stewart lead Texas with 44 RBI apiece while Atwood ranks second on the team in home runs (14) and third in hits (35). Atwood is the NCAA's active leader in career RBI with 266 while ranking second in home runs with 69 and total bases with 495.
Up Next
Atwood and No. 1 Texas hit the road to face No. 5 Alabama on April 2-4 at Rhoads Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thursday's series opener is slated for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
