Texas softball picked second in preseason Big 12 poll behind 3-time defending champion OU
With the bulk of last year’s NCAA super regional squad back, Texas softball has been picked to finish second behind three-time defending national champion Oklahoma in a preseason vote by the Big 12's coaches on Wednesday.
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Oklahoma received all nine possible first-place votes. Texas received the other first-place pick, likely from Sooners coach Patty Gasso, who was unable to vote for her own team.
Oklahoma State was picked third.
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Texas returns eight of the 10 batters who started last season’s super regional finale as well as its entire 2023 pitching staff for coach Mike White, who has led Texas to four consecutive super regional berths. That group includes first-team All-Big 12 utility player Mia Scott as well as five sophomores — infielder Leighann Goode, catcher Reese Atwood, pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez, outfielder Ashton Maloney and infielder Viviana Martinez — who all earned conference all-freshman honors last season.
In addition, Texas welcomes in a high-level pitching recruit in Teagan Kavan, who struck out 15 of 28 batters she faced during fall ball.
Texas will open up its season on Feb. 9 against San Diego and UCLA on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles. The Longhorns will play their first game at McCombs Field on Feb. 21 against Houston Christian.
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Big 12 preseason poll
1. Oklahoma (9 first-place votes): 81 points
2. Texas (1): 73
3. Oklahoma State: 62
4. Baylor: 59
5. Central Florida: 48
6. Texas Tech: 35
7. BYU: 28
8. Kansas: 27
9. Iowa State: 20
10. Houston: 17
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas softball picked second in preseason Big 12 poll behind Oklahoma
