The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 4 Softball’s Martinez earns SEC Player of the Week
04.21.2026 | Softball
Martinez hit .700 with team-highs in hits (7), slugging percentage (.700), on-base percentage (727) and OPS (1.427).
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 4 Texas Softball (35-7, 12-6 SEC) junior shortstop Viviana Martinez was named SEC Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Tuesday. It's Martinez's first career conference weekly honor.
Martinez is one of four Texas players to garner SEC weekly honors this season, joining Reese Atwood (SEC Player of the Week – Feb. 9), Teagan Kavan (SEC Pitcher of the Week – March 10) and Hannah Wells (SEC Freshman of the Week – March 24).
The Tolleson, Ariz., product had a standout three-game series at No. 13 Georgia on April 18-20 to guide Texas to its fourth SEC series win of the season. In three starts, Martinez hit .700 with team-highs in hits (7), slugging percentage (.700), on-base percentage (.727) and OPS (1.427) to go along with three RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Martinez anchored the Texas defense at short with six putouts and four assists with no errors. Martinez went 3-for-3 (1.000) when leading off an inning.
In Monday night's rubber match at No. 13 Georgia, Martinez provided a spark in the top of the eighth inning with a two-strike, leadoff single through the left side for her fourth hit of the night and to put the go-ahead run on base for the Horns. Following Martinez, senior second baseman Leighann Goode hit the go-ahead two-run home run to seal the series over the Bulldogs. Martinez finished the season finale with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate, matching her season high that was set against Texas A&M on March 27. Martinez went 2-for-3 at the dish with two RBI and a walk in UT's 7-5 come-from-behind win in the series opener on April 18. In game two vs. Georgia, Martinez peppered an RBI single and drew a walk.
After missing the 2025 season due to injury, Martinez hasn't skipped a beat returning to the field this season. Through 42 games, Martinez is slashing .390/.571/.463 with 41 hits, 33 RBI, three home runs, 10 doubles, 21 runs scored, 13 walks while striking out just six times – the fewest of Texas' everyday starters. Martinez has been a rock up the middle with a .941 fielding percentage and has helped Texas turn eight double plays. Martinez has upped her game during conference play, slashing .4-7/.667/.484 across 18 games. Martinez's .407 batting average during SEC play is the fourth-highest in the conference.
Up Next
Texas returns to the friendly confines of McCombs Field at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday, April 22, against No. 21 Oklahoma State. The game will broadcast on ESPN2 with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) on the call.
