Just weeks after winning a national title, Longhorns softball has been busy improving its pitching staff. On Sunday, the Longhorns added former Texas Tech lefty Samantha Lincoln, who was in the transfer portal. As Lincoln starts a new chapter of her softball career, she is coming off her best season with the Red Raiders.
During the 2026 campaign, Lincoln posted a 3.47 ERA in 25 appearances. She also held opponents to a .240 batting average while adding 67 strikeouts to her resume, which was a career high. Due to her success, the Massachusetts native was quickly scooped up by the Longhorns.
As Lincoln continued to improve, she also played various roles. The talented sophomore started a career-high 12 games, demonstrating she could handle a heavier workload. Whether she was pitching out of the bullpen or the rotation, Lincoln was one of Texas Tech’s most relied-upon weapons.
Through 52 appearances at the college level, Lincoln owns a 3.48 ERA and 123 strikeouts. She has improved every year while holding opponents to a .238 batting average. The Longhorns’ newest arm has also shown excellent control, only walking 41 batters in that span. With Lincoln officially in the mix, the Texas pitching staff should again be one of the best in the country.
With the offseason now in full swing, the Longhorns have made two major additions. They also turned to the portal last week to add offense, bringing in former Arizona State catcher Samantha Swan. She is coming off a breakout junior season in which she played a key role in the Sun Devils reaching the Austin Super Regional.
Over the next few weeks, the Longhorns are expected to be busy as they look to build a national championship-caliber roster. However, with Lincoln now in the mix, they have one less position to worry about.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns softball lands former Texas Tech lefty Sam Lincoln
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
