Central Texas softball star fulfills lifelong dream by watching alma mater in College World Series

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Central Texas softball star who hit a grand slam to win a state championship for Bosqueville High School in 2007 before suiting up for the University of Texas says she’s living out her dream watching the Longhorns play in the College World Series this week.

It’s the first time Raygan Feight Barron, 35, has ever seen her beloved Longhorns play in the College World Series in person, something she’s dreamed of her entire life.

“Being at the Women’s College World Series is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Barron beamed.

Barron is in Oklahoma City this week with her husband, James, and their 8-year-old twins Brookie and Briggs to watch the Longhorns in the Women’s College World Series Championship Series against the University of Oklahoma.

The family traveled Tuesday in time to catch the first game of the series which saw the top seeded Longhorns fall to number two seeded Oklahoma Sooners 8-3.

Raygan said despite the loss, she was thankful to experience the game in person with her family.

“I’m so thankful that I get to experience it with Briggs and Brookie this year,” she said.  “Growing up as a player watching these girls play and then getting to play college ball at the University of Texas and now getting to be here and watch Texas play, it’s been something that only players like me and girls like Brookie can dream of coming to watch.”

Barron played for Bosqueville from 2003 to 2007.

She was the shortstop for the state championship team and hit the grand slam to help Bosqueville claim victory over Shiner her senior year.

Barron hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 6th inning when the score was 1-0.

Bosqueville got three outs in the top of the 7th inning to come out on top 4-1.

Barron’s memory of that win is even more special as her sister, Haley Feight Gonzales, was a teammate.

Barron then played one year at MCC before transferring to UT where she was a second baseman and won a big 12 Conference Championship in 2010.

Her team never made it to the biggest stage in the world for softball while she was a player, but she knew she wanted to watch the Horns at some point when they did.

“The environment at the WCWS is every athlete’s dream, but man it’s intense!” she said.

Barron’s kids cheered on the Longhorns and even got the chance to take a picture with Texas pitching legend Cat Osterman.

The Longhorns will play OU at 7 p.m. Thursday night for the second game in the best of three series.

“I’m super excited to be here and hoping our Horns can play well and pull out their first championship. Hook ‘em!” she said.

The Longhorns have not lost back-to-back games this season since March 30th at Oklahoma State before falling to Oklahoma in Austin on April 5.

Raygan is returning to her roots for a new gig next school year.  She will be the new head softball coach at Bosqueville High School.

Barron will also serve next school year as a behavior teacher and Girls’ Athletic Coordinator.

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