When you know, you know.

That was the case for today’s spotlight athlete, a prolific power-hitting catcher who will play for a team about 250 miles to the southeast of her home in North Texas and who committed to a Big 12 school immediately after her official visit there…

Here’s more on this 1^st Team All-State standout from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex…

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Player Name: Bridget Mulligan
Grad Year: 2027
Positions: C/3B
Club Team: Impact Gold NTX National 18U
High School: John Paul II High School, Plano, Texas

Top Stats: In the Summer of 2025, Bridget hit 12 home runs, averaging a home run every 6.8 at-bats. For John Paul II High, she played 23 games and batted .561 with a .658 on-base percentage and hit 11 home runs, drove in 29 runs and 35 runs herself.

Top Honors:

• 2025 Boulder IDT 16U Offensive Player of the Tournament
• 2025 TAPPS Division 1 State Champions
• 2025 TAPPS – First Team All- State
• 2025 TAPPS District 6-2 Offensive Player of the Year
• 2025 TAPPS District 6-2 First Team
• 2024 Colorado Sparkler Offensive player of the Tournament
• Ranked No. 55 in the 2027 HOT 100 released Aug. 29, 2025

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I am grateful for this privilege and beyond excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Houston! I’m so thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point-my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have supported… pic.twitter.com/tAh3Eg1No0

— Bridget Mulligan (@BridgetM2027) September 29, 2025

Committed To:  University of Houston
When did you officially commit? September 28, 2025

How did you tell the Houston coaches you were committing?
I called the coach Sunday after having a Friday-Saturday official visit.

What factors were key in your choice?
The coaches and players were very welcoming, the program felt like home to me, the coaches value the players off of the field and it’s close enough that my parents can come watch games.

Did you do anything to celebrate the big decision?
I had seafood with my family!

Did you take any official visits?
No, my only official visit was to the University of Houston. I was in the process of sched uling a visit with another university when I made my decision.

What did your future coaches say they liked about your game enough to offer you? They said they wanted a gritty player like me who would make a difference for the team. They also said I had a big presence behind the plate (catching).

Have the Cougar coachers said how they see using you once you on campus?
They said there are opportunities to catch and be in the middle of the line-up.

What are some of your biggest softball accomplishments, in your opinion?
Winning a state championship with my sisters and getting the opportunity to become a D1 athlete in the future.

Anything else you’d like to add about this exciting event?
Go Coogs!!!!