Yes, the college softball season finished nearly two months ago, and yes, the AUSL season just reached its end, but that doesn't mean that softball is done for the year.
Right now, USA Softball has not one, but two teams in the International Cup, competing against countries like Australia, Canada, China, Japan, and more. On those two USA teams are quite a few names that fans of the Texas Longhorns (yes, the ones who are back-to-back Women's College World Series champions) will recognize instantly.
USA Softball set to dominate International Cup with Longhorns on rosters
Fresh off a second consecutive WCWS title and a big-time AUSL honor for a Longhorn Legend, USA Softball is flooded with players who know how to win.
U.S. Elite softball roster
- Reese Atwood, Texas Longhorns, Carolina Blaze
- NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas Bolts
- Ally Carda, UCLA Bruins, Texas Volts
- Megan Faraimo, UCLA Bruins, Utah Talons
- Aleena Garcia, UCLA Bruins
- Gabbie Garcia, Oklahoma Sooners
- Ana Gold, Duke Blue Devils, Carolina Blaze
- Sahvanna Jaquish, LSU Tigers, Utah Talons
- Teagan Kavan, Texas Longhorns
- Baylee Klingler, Texas A&M Aggies/Washington Huskies, Carolina Blaze
- Sydney McKinney, Wichita State Shockers, OKC Spark
- Bubba Nickles-Camarena, UCLA Bruins, OKC Spark
- Sharlize Palacios, UCLA Bruins, Utah Talons
- Keilani Ricketts, Oklahoma Sooners, Carolina Blaze
- Sierra Sacco-Ferrie, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Portland Cascade
- Taylor Shumaker, Florida Gators
- Kendall Wells, Oklahoma Sooners
- Morgan Zerkle, Marshall Thundering Herd, Chicago Bandits
A combined team of AUSL veterans and rookies, paired with current college stars, the Longhorns' beloved pitcher-catcher duo of Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood is on the U.S. Elite roster. Atwood, who is fresh off her first season in the AUSL, was named Rookie of the Year, dominating in her debut season for the Carolina Blaze.
Read more: Reese Atwood reminds the AUSL and NiJaree Canady who's boss with first pro hit
Alongside the current and former Texas stars are none other than former Texas Tech Red Raiders ace pitcher NiJaree Canady, who the Horns defeated two years in a row in the WCWS.
U.S. WNT softball roster
- Maya Brady, UCLA Bruins, OKC Spark
- Alyssa Brito, Oklahoma Sooners, Carolina Blaze
- Erin Coffel, Kentucky Wildcats, Chicago Bandits
- Jayda Coleman, Oklahoma Sooners, Utah Talons
- Jocelyn Erickson, Florida Gators, Chicago Bandits
- Hannah Flippen, Utah Utes, Utah Talons
- Montana Fouts, Alabama Crimson Tide, Utah Talons
- Rachel Garcia, San Diego State Aztecs, Texas Volts
- Megan Grant, UCLA Bruins, Portland Cascade
- Janae Jefferson, Texas Longhorns, Diablos Rojos del México
- Tiare Jennings, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Volts
- Lexi Kilfoyl, Alabama Crimson Tide/Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Chicago Bandits
- Kayla Kowalik, Kentucky Wildcats, Carolina Blaze
- Aubrey Leach, Tennessee Volunteers, Carolina Blaze
- Kelly Maxwell, Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Oklahoma Sooners, Portland Cascade
- Dejah Mulipola, Arizona Wildcats, Texas Volts
- Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee Volunteers, Carolina Blaze
- Skylar Wallace, Florida Gators, Chicago Bandits
Janae Jefferson played for the Longhorns from 2018 until 2022, before joining the Texas Smokes in the Women's Professional Fastpitch League. Earlier this year, she signed with the Diablos Rojos del México in the Mexican Softball League.
Patty Gasso leading Team USA softball might be the best culmination of talent
Of course, during their college careers, the Horns were coached by beloved Mike White, but the Texas head coach isn't leading Team USA this summer.
Instead, none other than Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso is holding the reins (understand why so many Sooners are on the rosters now?). While during the collegiate season, Gasso might be the worst person to cross paths with, her winning tradition, coupled with the raw talent that Texas has produced over the last few years, is the best possible opportunity for USA Softball to win it all.
On the first day of the International Cup, the U.S. Elite team rallied from a deficit to defeat Chinese Taipei 6-4 in eight innings. Then, the No. 2-ranked U.S. WNT walloped the No. 11 Australian Team 12-0.
How to watch USA Softball in the International Cup
Now, how exactly can you tune in to see these Longhorn Legends and current Texas star play in the International Cup?
- Group A: No. 1 Japan (1-0), U.S. Women’s Elite Team (1-0), No. 5 Chinese Taipei (0-1), No. 42 American Samoa (0-1)
- Group B: No. 2 United States (1-0), No. 4 Canada (1-0), No. 8 China (0-1), No. 11 Australia (0-1)
Friday, July 31
- American Samoa vs U.S. Elite - 4 p.m. CT - ESPN+
- Canada vs U.S. WNT - 7 p.m. CT - ESPN+
Saturday, Aug. 1
- U.S. WNT vs China - 4 p.m. CT - ESPN+
- U.S. Elite vs Japan - 7 p.m. CT - ESPN+
After the second and third days of the International Cup, Group A and Group B will cross paths with four games on Sunday, Aug. 2, before the final four games are played on Monday, Aug. 3, to determine which team will walk away as the champions.
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