After a strong start, can Texas softball slugger Reese Atwood catch Taylor Hoagland?

After the February that Reese Atwood has had, it is probably fair to ask about the security of Taylor Hoagland’s spot in the Texas record books.

In just 13 games this month, Atwood has homered nine times for the Texas softball team. The sophomore leads all Division I softball players in that statistical category.

Hoagland set a Texas record in 2012 when she homered 18 times in a single season. Over the next 11 years, Mary Iakopo and Lindsey Stephens were the only Longhorns to get within two homers of Hoagland’s school standard.

Atwood isn't just hitting homers for a Texas offense that is averaging 9.1 runs per game. Technically, her .632 batting average currently ranks second nationally. Natalia Apatiga is hitting .667 for Quinnipiac, but Quinnipiac has only played two games so far this season.

Janae Jefferson posted a UT-record .446 batting average during the 2021 season.

Ranked second in the NFCA poll, Texas (12-1) will close out the month of February with a trip to Texas State on Wednesday. One of Atwood's 20 career homers was hit last season at Texas State's Bobcat Stadium.