Overview
- Texas and Texas Tech are level at 611 points in the ESPN/USA Softball Top 25, with the Longhorns earning 14 first-place votes to the Red Raiders’ 11.
- Texas enters as the defending national champion and brings back six of nine starters, led by ace pitcher Teagan Kavan.
- Texas Tech tops Softball America’s preseason poll and features standout pitcher NiJaree Canady alongside several transfer additions.
- The 2026 college softball season begins across the country on Feb. 5, with comprehensive broadcast and streaming available on ESPN networks and the ESPN App.
- The poll lists each team’s opener, including Texas Tech at McNeese State on Feb. 5, Oklahoma at Arizona State on Feb. 5, and Tennessee hosting BYU on Feb. 5.