Red Raiders & Longhorns Trade Blows in Transfer Portal Race

LUBBOCK, Texas - If the last two Women's College World Series finals matchups weren't enough, the recent transfer portal surge between Texas Tech and Texas tells you that there are two clear top dogs in collegiate softball.

Just as the Red Raiders land a major portal acquisition, it feels as if the Longhorns have an equally-impressive counter as the portal nears a close.

Texas Tech has landed five portal commitments: LHP Jayden Heavener, OF Moriah Polar, IF Bradi Gallaway, OF Kasidi Pickering, and LHP Hailey Maestretti.

The two-time reigning national champion Longhorns have brought in C Samantha Swan, LHP Samantha Lincoln, and IF Isa Torres.

READ MORE: Texas Tech's 'Great Environment' Lures Elite 4-Star CB Commit

Pickering and Torres represented the major additions from the last couple days.

Torres, a Georgetown native who, along with her former high school teammate Swan, returns to her hometown area after being the No. 1-rated transfer portal recruit when she committed to the Longhorns.

Pickering was right behind her at No. 2. The three-year Oklahoma Sooner is a former First Team All-American and hit 50 career home runs. Last year, she posted a .370 batting average with a career-high 20 homers.

READ MORE: Brendan Sorsby's NFL Draft Gamble Gets Messier

Maestretti - who now represents Tech's third lefty pitcher next to Kaitlyn Terry and Heavener - announced her commitment after an All-Big 12 campaign in 2026 with Utah. The Red Raiders got to see her at her best during the season as Maestretti twirled a complete-game shutout, upsetting No. 1-ranked Texas Tech on April 11.

The Parker, Colo. native hopes to bring stability and depth to Gerry Glasco's pitching staff, as the postseason grind forced Texas Tech to go with a back-and-forth rotation between Terry and NiJaree Canady in the circle.

And as a matter of fact, Lincoln - the former Red Raider - is hoping to bring the same structure to Austin as she joins Teagan Kavan and the Longhorns. Lincoln, a junior, will remain behind the senior and two-time WCWS Most Outstanding Player Kavan, but could become Texas' No. 2 arm after Citlaly Gutierrez graduated.

READ MORE: Texas Tech 'Did No Wrong' As Big 12 Legal Pressure Forces Brendan Sorsby Move

After the Texas Tech and Texas went the distance in 2025, they were each ranked as co-No. 1 teams in the country. That proved to be a proper placement as they met again in Oklahoma City.

This transfer portal momentum on both sides lends a strong chance the two teams could rank that high again going into the 2027 season.