2026 Houston softball portal tracker: additions, departures

As Houston softball navigates the NCAA transfer portal that runs from June 8-22, here is a look at all the comings and goings for the program, which looks to improve upon a last-place Big 12 conference finish in 2026.

Additions

Skylar Brennan: After one season at Illinois, senior outfielder Skylar Brennan announced her commitment to Houston on June 29. Brennan led Illinois in base hits (50), multi-hit games (13), walks (23) as well as batting average (.318). Prior to joining the fighting Illini, Brennan spent her first two years at Florida SouthWestern State. There, she helped guide the Buccaneers to back-to-back Citrus Conference titles in 2024-25.

Brianna Hinson: A transfer out of Texas Tech, sophomore infielder Brianna Hinson announced her commitment to Houston on June 26 via her Instagram. The Upland, Calif. native looks to expand her role with the Cougars, following a freshman season in which she only saw two at-bats across four appearances. Hinson was named Upland High School MVP once, and Defensive Player of the Year on two occasions.

Caylee Gaytan: Sophomore pitcher Caylee Gaytan inked a deal with Cougars on June 25, via the program’s social media. It is a return to the Houston area for the Katy, Texas native who spent her freshman season at Indiana State. In her lone year with the Sycamores, Gaytan logged 117 innings pitched across 28 appearances, 18 of them being starts. She showed an ability to pitch deep into her outings, tossing nine complete games behind a 4.08 season ERA.

Nina Peyton-Johnson: Freshman infielder Nina Peyton-Johnson signed with Houston on June 24, the program announced on social media. A transfer from California, Peyton-Johnson did not see the field in her first season at the college level. A Sierra Canyon High School alum, she hit .417 as a junior, landing her All-League honors. Peyton-Johnson also made the All-City team as a freshman behind a .453 batting average.

Yanina Sherwood: Junior UNLV pitcher Yanina Sherwood committed to Houston on June 17, via her Instagram, sporting red & white polka dot nails to commemorate being a Cougar. A Mill Creek, Wash. native, Sherwood made 67 appearances across her freshman and sophomore campaigns, including 37 starts. She pitched to a 3.91 ERA in 175.1 innings in 2025, fanning 100 batters in the process. Sherwood’s performances as a freshman that year landed her an all-Mountain West honorable mention. She didn’t bear as strong results this season, posting a 5.37 ERA, totaling just 87.1 innings.

Larisa Perez: Junior infielder Larisa Perez committed to Houston on June 19, she announced on Instagram. She spent her first two seasons at Texas A&M. The San Antonio native appeared in nine games as a freshman, increasing that total to 17, alongside one start this past season. She recorded two hits and was driven in eight times as a sophomore. Perez was ranked No. 54 nationally on the Extra Elite 100 list as a senior at Copperas Cove High School. 

Departures

Kylee Savant: Following a freshman season consisting of two appearances and one start, sophomore catcher Kylee Savant announced her commitment to South Alabama on June 22. Her lone hit of the season came in the form of an RBI single on Feb. 27 against St. Bonaventure. The Livingston, La. native was named 2025 Louisiana Softball State Tournament MVP. As a senior, she hit .434 with a .598 on-base percentage.

Kaitlynn Torres: Sophomore utility player Kaitlynn Torres departs Houston after a freshman campaign that included 14 appearances as a pinch hitter and runner. The Spring native played high school softball at Grand Oaks High School, and was ranked the No. 11 infielder nationally of her class by Extra Inning Softball.

Maddie Hartley: Junior two-way player Maddie Hartley announced her commitment to Oklahoma State on her Instagram on June 13. Hartley spent her first two collegiate seasons as a Cougar. As a sophomore, Hartley earned the eighth triple crown in Houston program history. It came courtesy of a .338 batting average, 47 RBIs and 20 home runs. She slashed .338/.487/.811 across her 51 games played in 2026, earning her All-Big 12 second team honors. Her 20 home runs marked only the second time a Cougar had totaled 20+ in a season, and first since Hailey Outon hit 22 in 2012.

Madox Mitchael: A three-time All-District selection out of Fairfield High School, junior infielder Madox Mitchael was one of four Cougars to appear and start in all 51 games of 2026. She slashed .302/.379/.415, tallying 24 RBIs on the season. Mitchael delivered three of those runs against Fairfield on Feb. 6 to give Houston its 800th win in program history in walk-off run-rule fashion. She led Houston in stolen bases (8), as well as tying for the team lead in triples and sacrifice flies with two apiece. Primarily an outfielder, Mitchael also spent time along the infield at second base and shortstop.

Nicole Bodeux: Senior right-handed pitcher Nicole Bodeux departs Houston following three years with the program. She made 47 appearances across that span, including 18 starts. Originally a Maryland transfer, Bodeux redshirted her sophomore year in 2024, before tossing 54.2 and 51.1 innings in 2025 and 2026, respectively. She produced five scoreless outings this season, as well as four multi-strikeout games. Her career-high of 7 innings pitched came in a 4-3 victory over Lamar on April 1, 2025.

Jordee Wilkins: Senior outfielder Jordee Wilkins, a Houston native and Crosby High School alum, announced her departure from the Cougars via Instagram on May 16. As a junior in 2026, Wilkins made 34 appearances which included six starts, all in center field. Wilkins’ .167/.231/.167 slash line was a drastic drop-off from one year ago, where she posted the second-best average on the team at .336 to pair with a team-leading 13 doubles and five triples. She also led the Cougars in runs across her 45 starts of 2025.

Ariel Redmond: After spending her first two seasons with Houston, junior outfielder Ariel Redmond announced her intentions to transfer on June 8 via X. Redmond was one of four Cougars to start and play in all 51 games in 2026. Redmond saw noticeable improvement offensively in her sophomore campaign, slashing .282/.382/.479 alongside nine home runs. The Conroe native made all 51 starts in the outfield: 42 at center, and nine in left. Her nine outfield assists led the Cougars.

Nevaeh Brown: Junior pitcher Nevaeh Brown departs Houston after two seasons and 31 starts on the mound. Brown’s role was elevated in 2026, logging 132.1 innings across, while starting in 29 of her 42 appearances. Between her starts and relief appearances, Brown produced 12 scoreless outings, five complete games and four in shutout fashion. Her season-high in strikeouts came on March 1, when she fanned nine batters against Prairie View A&M.

Tracker will be updated as more announcements are made.