Texas softball's Joley Mitchell fought to become a champion

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's every athletes dream to win a national championship, but Arkansas native Joley Mitchell admired the simple things about the game after a medical scare in 2021.

Prior to becoming a Longhorn, Mitchell suited up in the blue and gold for Notre Dame to start her collegiate career. Her freshman year in 2020, Mitchell finished the season batting .234. Little did she know, that was the beginning of a long journey.

What started as preparation for Tommy John surgery turned into Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) after Mitchell contracted and overcame Covid.

"I was just having complications and turned out that I was really sick." Mitchell said.

ITP is an autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks its own platelets. In Mitchell's case, her blood was not clotting.

"This is my dream," she said about softball. "Looking back now it's like I never thought I'd be able to do something like this."

After missing the 2021 season, Mitchell bounced back batting .340 and .382 in the following seasons. She hit the transfer portal to play for Texas in her final two years.

"When things like that happen, you always wonder is this really meant to be," she mentioned. "I wouldn't have these two years if those things didn't happen." Mitchell said.

In the 2025 Women's College World Series, Mitchell led the Longhorns with three home runs. She helped power Texas to their first national championship in school history.

The moment meant a lot to the Longhorns and Mitchell in particular.

"This is literally everything I've dreamed of. I came to Texas to win a national championship, and I got to do that with these girls. I'm so happy."