Mitchell, Hartley Named to All-Big 12 Second Team

HOUSTON – Two University of Houston Softball student-athletes earned postseason honors from the Big 12 Conference, as junior Makenna Mitchell and sophomore Maddie Hartley were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, the conference announced Wednesday.

Mitchell produced a strong season in her second year with the Cougars, tallying a .329/.425/.685 slash in Big 12 play with 24 hits, 21 runs, 12 RBIs along with seven homers.

Overall in 2026, Mitchell recorded a .333/.430/.763 slash along with a team-leading 52 hits, 18 homers, 46 RBIs, 44 runs and 13 doubles. Her 18 homers rank as the fourth-most in a single season in program history as well as tied-for-37th nationally and 47th in homers per game (0.35). Mitchell was a cornerstone piece defensively for Houston, as she was voted Softball America's #13 third baseman in the country ahead of May.

Among Big 12 competition, Mitchell finished the regular season ranked tied for fourth in homers (18), eighth in assists (102), ninth in doubles (13) and 10th in slugging percentage (.763).

Hartley's sophomore shine played a key role for the Cougars this season, producing a .328/.511/.750 slash in conference play along with 21 hits, 19 RBIs, 17 runs and nine homers.

On the year, Hartley became the eighth player to win the Cougar triple crown, hitting .345 along with 50 hits, 20 homers, 47 RBIs, 35 runs and 10 doubles. She recorded the second-highest single-season home run total in program history (20), becoming only the second Cougar to hit 20+ homers in a single season and first since Haley Outon (22) in 2012. Hartley was also named to Softball America's Top 15 utility player rankings three times this season, coming in at #14 for March, #6 for Midseason and #9 for April.

Amongst Big 12 competition, Hartley finished tied for first in homers (20), fifth in slugging percentage (.828), sixth in OPS (1.314) and 10th in on base percentage (.486).

Mitchell and Hartley both become the second and third players in program history to earn all-conference status as Big 12 members, following Turiya Coleman's second team honor in 2024.

The Cougars all-time all-conference tally boost to 75 including American Athletic Conference and Conference USA honors.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.

− UHCougars.com −

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Maddie Hartley

Makenna Mitchell

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

University of Houston Athletics