Wow, what a great Women’s College World Series it was between Texas and Texas Tech!

The series will long be remembered for great plays including the Game 1 difference-maker when Reese Atwood looked to be intentionally walked in the 6^th inning butm on what would have been Ball 4, the Longhorn catcher saw the pitch was hittable and lined it to left field for a two-run single.

Here’s the highlight of the play from the game televised on ESPN:

For me, it’s always great to watch current stars that I got to see grow up, literally, from their younger days in the sport.

I remember when Atwood was on the Diamond Hotshots Premier team coached by Troy Falterman in 2019 and she was recommended to me as a Top 50-60 player in the country.

A year later, Reese was considered a Top 25-50 prospect in the Class of 2022 and one coach rightly predicted: “She’ll have several interested Power 5 colleges come after her starting Sept. 1 (of her junior year).”

Interestingly, a scout noted at that time:

“She’s got a great 6-foot-1 frame, not just as mature offensively.”

That would soon change, obviously, and by the time she graduated in 2022, I had Reese rated as the No. 5 prospect in the class and the No. 1 catcher.

I remember a great line from Reese when she was asked about playing for org head Nathan Nelson… she commented:

“I started playing with the Hotshots my freshman year of high school and when I met Coach Nathan I knew that he would get me where I needed to be to accomplish my goals. I connected extremely well with my teammates, and I knew that it was a perfect fit for me.”

Reese would graduate from Tuloso Midway High in Corpus Christi,  Texas after putting up huge numbers her senior year including a batting average of .576 with 10 home runs, 43 RBIs, a 2.053 slugging percentage and even 16 steals to showcase her athleticism.

And opposing teams feared her so much, she received 24 walks while being pitched to very carefully!

Her honors as a senior included being District Offensive MVP, All-South Texas and All-State as well as a PGF All-American.

Friday night, Reese had two hits to help the powerful Longhorn take the 2025 World Series title and finish 56-12.

Six years after the athlete was recommended to be one of the best in her class—a Top 100 prospect in the Class of 22 three years before she graduated—the talented athlete showed that, indeed, her offensive game matured and –best of all – she now and forever can be called a National Champion.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball