Texas softball kept its Women's College World Series repeat dreams alive on Monday, while a wild ladybug superstition held by its 2026 WCWS breakout star Hannah Wells made a viral splash.
During ESPN's live Texas vs Tennessee coverage, veteran sideline reporter Holly Rowe stunned viewers with the Longhorns standout's unique pregame habit.
ESPN’s Holly Rowe Breaks Down Texas Star's Lucky Ladybug Ritual
According to the ESPN broadcast, the freshman traces her ice-cold postseason composure back to an unusual softball ritual.
"She has a superstition dating back to childhood that if she sees a ladybug, she eats it for good luck. Swallows it whole," Rowe revealed.
The curious habit — confirmed by two separate dugout sources — appeared to work wonders at last month's SEC Softball Tournament, when Wells blasted a home run directly after swallowing one of the insects.
Whether or not Wells found a ladybug before Monday's doubleheader remains a mystery. However, her bat delivered when it mattered most.
During a tense fifth inning, Wells stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and crushed a clutch, two-RBI single off the right-center wall. The hit gave Texas a commanding 4-1 cushion.
Decorated reliever Teagan Kavan closed out the seventh with a strikeout, securing a 5-2 win over the Tennessee Lady Vols and forcing an automatic winner-take-all semifinal rematch.
Texas Softball Sweeps Tennessee to Book 2026 WCWS Final
The Longhorns capitalized on that Game 1 momentum, subsequently sweeping the Texas vs Tennessee doubleheader by blanking the Lady Vols 4-0 in the closer.
Defending champion Texas now advances to its third consecutive WCWS Finals, marking the program's fourth Championship Series in the last five years.
The Longhorns next play in-state rivals Texas Tech for all the marbles starting Wednesday at 8 PM ET, live on ESPN.
