“I Wanted the Ball”: Brenlee Gonzales Brings Her Competitive Fire to Texas Softball
A New Start in Austin
“I wanted the ball and I wanted to go to a program that would help develop me, support me, and give me an opportunity to succeed and to fail.”
Those were some of the words spoken by the newest Texas Longhorns softball player, Brenlee Gonzales. Gonzales just completed her freshman year in Lubbock, Texas as a pitcher on the Red Raiders staff. As you know, Texas and Texas Tech met in the Women’s College World Series final, but by then, Gonzales’ time had been much limited.
Sometimes you just have to list the pros and cons, and also have some deep thought and prayer.
“After my freshman year, my role was very limited, and I knew that I could offer more in terms of in the circle. Plus, I love to compete and I’m the type of person who wants the ball in any type of situation. My decision was one that I thought about and prayed about, but at the end of the day I wanted the ball and I wanted to go to a program that would help develop me, support me, and give me an opportunity to succeed and to fail.”
Leaving on Good Terms
Just because Brenlee Gonzales decided to exit Texas Tech doesn’t mean things were bad or negative. Players want to play, and when you feel you aren’t getting the opportunity, you have a decision to make.
“I had a lot of great experiences with my freshman year at Texas Tech. However, I wanted to take that with me to a school that I could contribute to for the next three years of my softball career.”
A Fit with Coach Mike White
Now Coach Mike White is one of the best in the game. He’s been at Texas since the summer of 2018, and before that he spent a great amount of time at Oregon. Coach White knows how to win, and just as important, he knows how to develop players on and off the field. Development is a big key for Gonzales, and it’s something she is looking forward to just as much as anything.
“Coach White and the rest of the coaching staff talk to me a lot about the rich tradition at Texas and how they could help me develop as a player and as a person, as well as as a student.”
Championship Culture
As for the winning and championship mindset, Texas is the right place to be. The rich history at that university is not only in softball, but in many other sports. When you step onto UT soil, you can feel what is expected.
“The moment that I walked on the campus and in the facilities, you could just see and feel that there is a championship mindset 365 days a year. That was the type of program I wanted to be a part of, and the coaching staff did an amazing job on telling me how I would fit within the current group of amazing athletes there at the University of Texas.”
Texas is a place you go for those reasons: the history, the culture, the mindset to win, and nothing short of that mindset will work at a place like Texas.
Mentored by a Longhorn Legend
Speaking of history, Brenlee Gonzales was coached and influenced by one of, if not the greatest Longhorn softball pitcher of all time, Cat Osterman.
While on the travel ball scene during her high school days, Gonzales was mentored by Osterman while playing for the Texas Bombers Gold organization.
I asked how big of an influence Osterman was during that time. As you’d imagine, you take in everything she teaches.
“Cat was a big influence while I played with the Texas Bombers. She taught me how to think ahead in the game. She taught me how to challenge batters regardless of the situation, and she consistently kept preaching to me to trust what I brought to the table and just go perform. When you have a legend like Cat Osterman telling you these things, I was just soaking it up like a sponge.”
Gonzales went on to further praise and show appreciation to the legend, saying, “I am very grateful to her for the time that she poured into me, but most importantly, the belief that she had in me as a pitcher. I can honestly say she is one of the top five people in my life that have inspired me and influenced me to be the person that I am today.”
All About the Opportunity for Gonzales
Gonzales struck me as a person who just wants the chance to be who she knows she can be. Her demeanor and hunger to learn and win say it all. She is looking forward to playing for a coaching staff that has already envisioned how she can succeed and help the Longhorns win.
With the talent already in place at Texas, Gonzales is ready to not only learn from Coach White and the staff, but to also pick the brains of teammates performing at the high level Texas expects.
There is no “I” in team, and if one succeeds, they all succeed.
“I’ve always believed one person’s success on the team equals the success of the entire team,” said Gonzales.
Looking Ahead
Heading into her sophomore year, in a new place and with a great opportunity, Brenlee Gonzales just wants the chance to develop, compete, and win.
