Texas SS and 2nd Baseman Leighann Goode, Prospect for Freshman of the Year

After her stellar true freshman performance and addition to the softball program, Texas Longhorns' shortstop and second baseman Leighann Goode was recognized.

University of Texas Athletics

Texas Longhorns Freshman shortstop and second baseman Leighann Goode caught the eye of UT fans early on with a 10-game hitting streak to start the season. On Friday, Goode earned a spot on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division 1 Freshman of the Year Top 25 List. But what makes Goode so...good?

Before her time with the Longhorns, Goode attended Sandra Day O'Connor High in Helotes, TX, and placed No. 3 amongst infielders and No. 17 overall nationally in Extra Inning Softball rankings. Throughout her high school career, she finished with a .482 batting average, 20 home runs, and 97 RBI.

Goode started her time at the Forty Acres by breaking Texas softball program records. She was credited with at least one hit within her first ten games, passing up former All-American player Janae Jefferson. Under Texas head coach Mike White, Goode also went on record for her 19 hits within the first ten games of her college career.

After the first 49 games of her true freshman season, up until she was recognized by the top 25 list, Goode was .355/.409/.598 at the plate and lead the team with 101 total bases. She had a team-leading 169 plate appearances that included 60 hits and 38 RBIs. 

As far as her defensive skills up until her recognition, Goode had a .989 fielding percentage.

Texas was last recognized with the NFCA National Freshman of the Year Top 10 Finalist with former pitcher Shea O'Leary in 2019 and when Jefferson was selected in 2018. 

The NFCA Division 1 Freshman of the Year Top 25 List will be trimmed down on May 11 to ten finalists before the top three are released on May 25. On May 30, before the start of the 2023 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, the overall winner will be announced.

---

You can follow Tori Garcia on Twitter @ToriCGarcia

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.

Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.