Texas Softball Shuts Out UMass in Bevo Classic

The Texas Longhorns remain undefeated in the 2025 season.

Texas Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood (14) swings at a pitch during the game against Texas Tech on day one of the Bevo Classic at Red and Charline McCombs field on Friday, February. 14, 2025 in Austin. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

AUSTIN -- A slow start against an unranked team has been unusual for No. 1 Texas softball. In eight games played in the 2025 season, the Longhorns only failed to score in the first inning once against an unranked opponent in Lamar. But the UMass Minutewomen gave Mike White's Horns a tough start on Saturday.

Despite a scoreless first inning, Texas got back in the game in the second. UMass had a big chance to put runs on the board, but Texas junior pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez came up strong with two strikeouts in the top of the second as UMass had all bases loaded. The Minutewomen couldn't score in the second, and the Longhorns took advantage of that to put two runs up.

Texas starting pitcher/relief pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez (77) looks to pass to a teammate as the Longhorns play Texas State at McCombs Field on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. / Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Senior catcher Katie Cimusz got the game started for Texas as she tripled to the left field, allowing graduate infielder Joley Mitchell and junior designated player Reese Atwood to score. That was Cimusz' first career triple in four years of collegiate softball. The senior nearly got a third run on the board, but catcher Katharine Heslin caught the ball before Cimusz could complete her dive to the home plate.

Gutierrez kept the Minutewomen silent in the third inning as the Longhorns got ready for their highest-scoring inning of the game. With bases loaded at the bottom of the third, sophomore infielder Katie Stewart took the bat. From then on, it was third consecutive scores from the third base.

Senior utility Mia Scott got it running in the inning, and sophomore outfielder Kayden Henry followed on her teammate's footsteps with a second run from the third as junior utility Leighann Goode singled. Atwood completed the third inning hat-trick, putting the Horns up 5-0.

In a slower fourth and scoreless fifth and sixth innings, Henry was the sole scorer for Texas. The Longhorns needed two more to end the game at the through the mercy rule, but were unable to complete a run.

White has the luxury coaches teams don't have: depth in the bullpen.

From Gutierrez to 2024 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Teagan Kavan, freshman Cambria Salmon and veteran Mac Morgan, White can move his pitchers around. And that's exactly what he did. Salmon took over for Gutierrez in the fourth inning, contributing to 12 team strikeouts, five personal.

Against Maryland, Salmon nearly secured a shutout, but allowed four runs in the fifth inning. Nonetheless, the Longhorns won the game in five.

This time, Salmon didn't let anyone reach the home plate as Texas won game 6-0. Her five strikeouts matched her five against Maryland on Friday for a career best.

Up next for the Horns is a rematch against the Terrapins.

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