Texas Longhorns Secure No. 6 Overall Seed in 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament, Prepare for Championship Push With Tough Regional Draw

The Texas Longhorns are officially dancing into the NCAA postseason, earning the No. 6 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA softball tournament. After a season filled with standout performances, dramatic wins, and a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament, head coach Mike White’s squad now turns its attention to the road ahead—with eyes squarely fixed on Oklahoma City.

With the NCAA Selection Committee unveiling the 64-team field on Sunday night, the Longhorns were not only awarded a national seed but also selected to host a regional at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. Their opening matchup is set for Friday, May 16, against Northern Colorado, the Big Sky champion. The other two teams in the Austin Regional include Mississippi State out of the SEC and Big Ten runner-up Indiana, creating a balanced but challenging pod that will test Texas right out of the gate.

The Longhorns are no strangers to the spotlight or to high stakes. Just last season, they reached the Women’s College World Series and brought back much of their core from that run. Led by All-American outfielder Reese Atwood and flame-throwing ace Teagan Kavan, Texas put together a 44-10 overall record during the regular season and a 17-7 mark in Big 12 play. Though the team fell short in the Big 12 title game against Oklahoma, the resume was more than strong enough to earn a top-eight national seed and home-field advantage through Super Regionals—if they advance.

“I think our players understand what it takes now,” White said after the bracket was released. “We’ve been through it, and there’s a hunger in the locker room to get back to OKC and go even further. We know the margin for error gets smaller from here, and this group is ready.”

Texas’ opening-round opponent, Northern Colorado, enters the regional with a 29-23 overall record and earned its ticket by winning the Big Sky Tournament. While the Bears aren’t a traditional powerhouse, they’ve been playing their best softball down the stretch. The key for Texas will be avoiding a slow start and putting pressure on Northern Colorado early with its aggressive offense. Atwood, along with sophomore shortstop Viviana Martinez and speedster Ashton Maloney, have been central to Texas’ ability to manufacture runs from both power and small-ball approaches.

If the Longhorns advance past their opening game, they’ll face either Mississippi State or Indiana. The Bulldogs are a dangerous team despite not finishing in the top tier of the SEC standings. They’ve logged quality wins throughout the season and boast a deep pitching staff, including right-hander Aspen Wesley, who’s capable of keeping elite offenses in check. Meanwhile, Indiana finished second in the Big Ten and carries a 38-17 record into the tournament. Their offensive catalyst, Taryn Kern, brings pop and patience to the plate, and Texas will need to pitch carefully to avoid giving up big innings.

Still, the Longhorns are favored to win the regional, especially with the home crowd advantage. The larger question is whether Texas can survive what promises to be a loaded Super Regional round. If chalk holds, the Longhorns would likely host No. 11 seed Tennessee in Austin. The Lady Vols, who have emerged as a consistent SEC contender, bring with them postseason experience and one of the deepest lineups in the country. Their mix of veteran leadership and pitching depth would pose a significant threat to Texas’ hopes of reaching back-to-back WCWS appearances.

For now, though, Texas remains focused on its regional pod. One of the strengths of this year’s team has been its versatility. In addition to Atwood’s power—she leads the team with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs—Texas has gotten production from unexpected places. Junior third baseman Mia Scott has quietly put together an all-conference season, and freshman sensation Katie Stewart has emerged as a reliable bat in the middle of the order. Meanwhile, Kavan has matured into one of the nation’s top young pitchers, boasting a 1.74 ERA with 212 strikeouts over 165 innings.

“I think we’ve got a balanced team,” White added. “We’re not just relying on one phase. We’ve had games where our pitching carries us, and others where the bats bail us out. That’s what gives me confidence.”

Texas’ defense, often overlooked, has also been a stabilizing force. The middle infield duo of Martinez and Alyssa Washington has turned more than 30 double plays on the season, and Maloney’s speed in center field has saved more than a few runs in tight contests. Those fundamentals will be critical in the postseason, where small mistakes often mean the difference between staying alive or going home.

As for the atmosphere in Austin, fans are expected to pack McCombs Field as they have all season. The Longhorns rank among the top 10 in national attendance, and the program has built a home-field edge that few teams can match. With the tournament’s stakes growing with every game, that environment could be pivotal—especially in close contests.

One of the interesting dynamics of this year’s bracket is the potential rematch with Oklahoma looming in Oklahoma City. Texas and OU have formed one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries in recent years, and while the Sooners once again earned the No. 1 overall seed, Texas is among the few teams with the firepower to challenge them. They came close in the regular season, splitting a pair of one-run games and falling in extras during the Big 12 Championship Game. A potential showdown in the WCWS could be one of the most anticipated rematches of the entire tournament.

But White and his staff aren’t looking that far ahead.

“This tournament is a grind,” he said. “You can’t afford to look past anyone. One bad inning, one missed opportunity, and you’re on the wrong side of a scoreline. We’re treating every game like it’s the championship game.”

The program’s consistency over the past three years has raised expectations, both internally and among fans. But White insists the team isn’t feeling the pressure.

“Pressure is a privilege,” he said, echoing the phrase coined by tennis legend Billie Jean King. “It means you’re doing something right. We welcome it.”

For the seniors on this team, including veterans like Maloney and Washington, this tournament marks the final chapter in what’s been a decorated run. Several of them were part of the 2022 team that made a surprising run to the WCWS finals, and they’re determined to make their final postseason count.

“This group is special,” Maloney said. “We’ve been through so much together, and we’ve built something that we’re proud of. But we’re not done. We’ve got more to prove.”

Texas will need every ounce of that resolve as it steps onto the field for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. With a tough regional field, looming heavyweight matchups, and the pressure of expectations, the path to Oklahoma City will be anything but easy. But if the Longhorns have shown anything this season, it’s that they’re built for the challenge.

Game one against Northern Colorado is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on Friday and will be broadcast on ESPN+. From there, Texas hopes to string together three more wins and punch its ticket to the Super Regionals. If the pieces fall into place, a return to Oklahoma City could soon follow—and perhaps, this time, with a national title on the line.