By CHASE UPTON/Sports Editor
The Patriots have done it again, and this time, they’ve made history.
The University of Texas at Tyler softball team claimed its second straight NCAA Division II national championship on Thursday afternoon, shutting out the University of Tampa 3-0 to sweep the best-of-three series at Frost Stadium.
With the win, UT Tyler becomes just the fifth program in NCAA Division II history to repeat as softball national champions. They join elite company alongside California (Pa.) (1997–98), Kennesaw State (1995–96; now a Division I school), Cal State Bakersfield (1988–90) and Cal State Northridge (1983–85). The Patriots are also the first team to post a shutout in the championship series since the format changed in 2016.
The Patriots wrap up their 2025 season with a 62-5 record and an eye-popping two-year total of 120-13. They shared the Lone Star Conference regular-season title with West Texas A&M, with both teams finishing 40-4. Then they knocked off the Lady Buffs in the LSC Tournament final and again in the NCAA Super Regional to punch their ticket to the World Series.
Senior pitcher Primrose Aholelei was untouchable when it mattered most. The right-hander struck out a season-high 12 batters, walked just one and gave up only a single hit in a complete-game shutout to clinch the title. She retired 15 straight batters at one point and earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
JT Smith and Ka’Lyn Watson led the offense with two hits each, and six different Patriots picked up base hits. Three players crossed the plate as UT Tyler built its lead in the fourth and fifth inning and never let go.
Aholelei, Smith, Watson, Barney, and Abbie Behe were each named to the NCAA Division II Softball World Series All-Championship Team for their efforts.
This year’s championship squad featured six returners from last season’s title run: Hailey Fannin, Sam Schott, Angelique Rangel, Taryn Barney, JT Smith, and Kaylee Davis. That veteran presence helped steady the Patriots throughout the postseason.
Thursday’s win also adds another milestone for Patriot head coach Mike Reed. Since taking over the program in 2005, Reed has now led UT Tyler to three national championships: two in Division II and one in Division III, which the Patriots won in 2016 before leaping to the Division II competition in September of 2021.
With back-to-back titles in hand, UT Tyler has firmly established itself as the top program in the country, and a force that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
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