By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
September 1 is perhaps the biggest and most important day of the year in the softball world. It’s the first day Division I college coaches can directly contact high school juniors.
Nicole Orgeron is in her fifth year with the University Of New Mexico – located in Albuquerque, roughly nine hours away from Fort Worth. But Orgeron has plenty of experience in Texas.
Prior to New Mexico, she spent six seasons as the head coach with Stephen F. Austin with other head coaching stops at Tyler Junior College and Paris Junior College. Orgeron also spent time at Hardin-Simmons and Howard College.
Looking to bulk up her future recruiting class, Orgeron and the Lobos landed commitments from six local players in September alone; Bella Flores (Flower Mound), Bradyn Young (Melissa), Bella Garcia (Southlake Carroll), Meredith Hambric (Byron Nelson), Addy Watson (Boswell) and Nahla Hurst (Flower Mound).
Even more surprising is that five of those players were on the same travel ball team this past summer. Young, Watson, Flores, Hambric and Hurst all played for Kevin Shelton’s Texas Glory team.
Garcia played for Ed Naudin and Hotshots.
“Thank you to the entire coaching staff at New Mexico. I appreciate all the confidence you have in me,” said Hambric, who helped Byron Nelson to a historic 2026 high school season.
Hambric, a pitcher, had a 23-5 record and 1.17 ERA in just over 185 innings pitched. She posted 239 strikeouts and held opposing batters to a 0.195 average.
Byron Nelson went 37-7-1, won the District 4-6A championship and reached the regional finals.
Meanwhile in Flower Mound, Flores and Hurst helped lead the Jaguars to the state semifinals for the second straight year. Flores pitches while Hurst plays in the outfield. The Jags are 53-19-2 overall during the past two seasons, including posting 12-2 district marks both times.
“Thank you Coach Orgeron, Coach Spearman, Coach Rachael and Coach Ariel for this incredible opportunity to become a part of your program. I am so thankful for this opportunity to become a Lobo and achieve my dream of becoming a D1 athlete,” Flores said.
Added Hurst, “I am so excited to get to know you guys more and come join you guys on the amazing journey you have planned.”
According to New Mexico’s 2027 softball roster, the Lobos have 23 players with 12 coming from the Lone Star state. Six of those Texans come from the DFW area.
Local players include Aubrey Robledo (Midlothian), DeNae Vasquez-Dickson (Colleyville Heritage), Briana Williams (Denton Guyer), Haley Mennenga (Birdville), Jasmyn Lloyd (South Grand Prairie) and Tenzly Martin (Venus).
Last season, New Mexico won 28 games, most in a season since 2015 – also the last time the Lobos had a winning record.
“To Coach Orgeron, Coach Spearman, Coach Rachael and Coach Ariel, thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at the next level. I can’t wait to be a Lobo,” said Watson, who pitches and plays first base.
Watson helped the Pioneers to a 22-6-1 record after posting 45 hits, 45 RBIs, 11 home runs and eight doubles while hitting 0.556.
Garcia also took a big step during her sophomore season with Carroll, hitting 0.460 with 52 hits, 44 RBIs, eight home runs and seven doubles.
The Dragons went 21-12 last season.
“I am so excited to announce my commitment to the University Of New Mexico. Thank you [to the UNM coaches] for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream of playing at the next level,” Garcia said.
Young, who plays outfield, won a state championship with Melissa in 2025 as a freshman and helped the Cardinals to the state semifinals last season.
Young hit 0.444 as a sophomore with 44 hits, 23 RBIs, 54 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, nine doubles and five home runs.
“Special thanks to [the UMN coaches] for believing in me and welcoming me into the Lobo family,” Young said.
