Key Highlights
Katie Stewart: The Power of an Ox
On Sunday, Katie Stewart delivered another moon shot in the sixth inning. This time, it was a three-run homer off national player of the year Jordy Frahm that lifted Texas to a 3-1 victory over Nebraska. “She’s strong as an ox,” said coach Mike White. “Her home runs can be prodigious.”
It’s not just about the power in Stewart’s swing; it’s also her approach and mental fortitude. “I can get in my head sometimes,” she admitted. “In that moment, I focused on keeping my heart rate down. Be present one pitch at a time, knowing I was going to get something I could hit, knowing I had to get on it.”
A Youngster with Uncommon Strength
Stewart’s father, Lance Stewart, remembers the day his daughter showed him she possessed uncommon strength. At 13, she had just finished a workout and was lying on the floor watching TV. Lance, who weighed about 260 pounds at the time, lay on top of her and dared her to do a pushup—no knees. “You ain’t going to get up,” he told her.
She did.
“She literally pushed me up with no effort,” Lance said. Stewart’s strength wasn’t just physical; it was an early sign that she would become one of the most feared hitters in college softball. Her father’s memory serves as a reminder of how far she has come since playing whiffle ball in the Chicago suburbs.
From Freshman to SEC Player of the Year
Since arriving at Texas, Stewart has been one of their most prolific sluggers. She earned freshman All-America honors in 2024 and became a key middle-of-the-order bat during the Longhorns’ championship run last season. Now, as the SEC Player of the Year, who also leads the team in batting average (.424) and RBIs (75), Stewart has emerged as one of the most feared hitters in the country.
Her 28th home run this season—setting a Texas record—is just another reminder of her prodigious talent. “She’s always been strong,” said Lance. “She doesn’t need to hit all of it; she just needs to get enough of it—and it’s going to go.”
The Road Ahead
With the Longhorns needing a sweep against Tennessee on Monday to make their Women’s College World Series championship series return, Stewart will continue to be pivotal. “Her exit velocity is really high,” White said. “She’s just grown as a leader and a hitter. She’s really taking it onto herself to shoulder the load.”
For now, Katie Stewart remains focused on the task at hand. “I got there.” As she stands poised for another at-bat, Stewart’s determination is evident. The Longhorns will be counting on her strength—both physical and mental—as they seek a return trip to the pinnacle of college softball.
