For years, the road to a Women’s College World Series title has often gone through Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners, winners of four consecutive WCWS titles and seven overall, have long loomed over college softball like a monolith. But in 2025, the winds are shifting in the heart of the Big 12. The Texas Longhorns – confident, deep, and hungry – have emerged as the team to beat, and this time, it’s not just about slaying the Sooner giant. Texas has championship expectations, and they’ve built a roster and identity that suggest they’re not merely aiming to knock off their rivals – they’re ready to take the whole crown.
A Team Rebuilt with Purpose
Mike White took over the Texas softball program in 2019 with one mission: to bring national prominence and a national championship to Austin. That mission has steadily gained steam, and in 2025, the Longhorns are a complete, dynamic, and battle-tested group. Coming off a dominant regular season and an assertive postseason run that saw them breeze through regionals and super regionals, Texas enters Oklahoma City with a combination of swagger and substance.
“We’re not here to be a spoiler. We’re here to win the whole damn thing,” said White after Texas secured its spot in the WCWS. “We respect every team here, but we fear no one.”
That shift in mindset is emblematic of this year’s team. This isn’t a program clinging to the hope that Oklahoma slips. It’s a roster with its own destiny to claim.
Pitching: Deep, Balanced, and Dominant
At the center of Texas’s title ambitions is a pitching staff that has developed into one of the deepest in the country. Junior ace Citlaly Gutierrez has stepped into the spotlight with precision and poise, showcasing an arsenal of rise balls, offspeed deception, and a fierce competitive streak. She finished the regular season with a 1.59 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio among the best in the Big 12.
Right behind her is Estelle Czech, a versatile lefty who can start or relieve depending on the matchup. She’s particularly effective against left-handed heavy lineups, and her emergence has allowed White to keep arms fresh during the grueling postseason stretch.
Sophomore Ryleigh White – no relation to the head coach – has become the unsung hero of the staff. While not always the headline name, her ability to eat innings and get ground ball outs has proved vital in tight games.
The pitching is anchored by sharp game-calling from veteran catcher Reese Atwood, whose chemistry with the staff is a major intangible. “Our pitchers know they can go to any pitch in any count,” Atwood said. “That kind of trust takes time, but we’ve built that together all year.”
Offense: Relentless and Ruthless
The Texas offense doesn’t just score runs – it wears teams down. Leading off is junior outfielder Ashton Maloney, a table-setter who can change a game with her legs or her bat. She’s batting .392 on the season with 32 stolen bases and is often the sparkplug that ignites early rallies.
Atwood, in addition to her catching duties, is a power-hitting machine. With 18 home runs and 64 RBIs on the year, she provides the thump in the heart of the lineup. Her ability to drive in runs with two outs has turned her into a nightmare for opposing pitchers.
Then there’s Mia Scott, the Longhorns’ senior third baseman, who has become one of the most dependable hitters in the nation. Batting .411 with a .489 OBP, Scott is a model of consistency who rarely strikes out and always seems to find the gaps.
Freshman sensation Leighann Goode has provided a surprising boost at second base, both offensively and defensively. Her fearless approach at the plate – already drawing comparisons to a young Danielle Gibson – gives Texas yet another weapon.
“We’re never out of an inning,” said Scott. “Even when we’re behind in the count or have two outs, we believe the next hitter will get it done.”
That belief has translated into a remarkable +172 run differential this season, including a blistering stretch in May where Texas averaged 8.4 runs per game.
Defense: Flashy When Needed, Rock Solid Always
It’s often said that defense wins championships, and the Longhorns have taken that mantra to heart. Scott anchors the infield with Gold Glove-caliber play at third, routinely making tough plays look routine. Shortstop Alyssa Washington has continued to grow into her role, providing range and a cannon of an arm that shuts down the running game.
The outfield trio of Maloney, Bella Dayton, and Kiki Milloy (a transfer from Tennessee) may be the fastest and most athletic in the tournament field. They track down deep flies with ease, cut off extra bases, and are unafraid to lay out for game-saving catches.
Catcher Atwood continues to be the leader behind the dish, not only in calling games but in controlling the opposition’s running game with her arm strength and accuracy.
Defensive lapses have been minimal, and White has stressed that defensive execution will be the difference between getting to the championship game and winning it.
Texas is More Than Just Oklahoma’s Rival
It’s easy to reduce the Texas-Oklahoma dynamic to a David-versus-Goliath narrative. After all, the Sooners have dominated recent history. But the 2025 Longhorns aren’t chasing Oklahoma – they’re chasing greatness. In fact, they’ve already beaten the Sooners twice this season and snapped Oklahoma’s 41-game winning streak back in April.
Yet it’s not just about those marquee matchups anymore. Texas is dialed in against everyone. In the NCAA Tournament, they’ve thumped mid-majors and outdueled SEC powerhouses alike. Their journey through super regionals saw them dismantle a surging Stanford team with surgical precision.
What sets this group apart is their adaptability. Against power pitchers, they grind out at-bats. Against finesse teams, they attack early. They’ve won slugfests and they’ve won 1-0 nail-biters.
The WCWS Field: Wide Open and Ready for a Shake-Up
Oklahoma remains a threat, of course. Patty Gasso’s squad is battle-tested and capable of flipping the switch at any moment. But the WCWS field this year is as deep as ever.
Florida State, with ace Kathryn Sandercock and a disciplined lineup, presents a major challenge. UCLA, despite a rocky regular season, boasts the experience and firepower to make a run. Tennessee is resurgent, and SEC Tournament champion Georgia looks primed for a breakout.
But Texas has shown the ability to beat every style of team. Their schedule, which included SEC previews and top-ranked non-conference clashes, has forged them into a group that thrives under pressure.
The Leadership Factor
Every championship team needs that “glue” – players who keep the locker room focused, loose, and unified. For Texas, that’s Maloney, Scott, and Atwood. Their leadership by example and communication on the field has been praised by teammates and coaches alike.
“Our culture is stronger than it’s ever been,” said Coach White. “Everyone knows their role, and no one tries to do too much. That’s rare.”
The bench has also been a strength, with key contributions from pinch-hitters and role players like Katie Cimusz and Jayda Coleman (another key transfer), who provide energy and clutch moments.
The X-Factor: Belief
More than talent, more than statistics, more than depth charts – this team believes.
It believes it is the best team in the nation.
It believes it has earned this moment.
It believes that history is not predetermined by past dominance – but by the grit and grind of those who rise in the present.
In 2022, Texas made a surprise run to the WCWS finals, only to be swept by Oklahoma. That memory still lingers for many on this year’s roster. But instead of carrying that loss as a burden, they’ve used it as fuel.
“We remember what that felt like,” said Maloney. “We promised ourselves that if we got back, we’d be ready.”
Final Thoughts: The Time is Now
The Texas Longhorns are no longer just an up-and-coming program. They’re here, they’re loaded, and they’re the most complete team entering the 2025 Women’s College World Series.
The shadow of Oklahoma no longer defines them. The Longhorns are writing their own story – and it might just end with the program’s first-ever national championship.
