It’s clear that Texas A&M University Softball has built a strong recruiting pipeline with La Porte High School, as Lady Dawgs standout Kynlee Arechiga has officially committed to join the Aggies.

Arechiga, a multi-sport standout, is the third La Porte softball player – all three of them shortstops – to commit to Texas A&M University in the past 10 years.

Though she could have likely gone to college as a volleyball or basketball player, Arechiga chose to focus on softball, just as Lady Dawg and Aggie softball stars Tori Vidales and Koko Wooley did before her. And it should come as no surprise that she has chosen to wear Aggie Maroon and white like her predecessors.  

“She and Koko are great friends, and she idolizes Koko and Tori,” her father John Arechiga said. “Kynlee has spent many hours at the [batting] cages, playing club ball and has just worked extremely hard over the years to reach this level.”

In her softball career as a Lady Dawg, Arechiga has thus far been twice named to the All-District and Academic All-District teams. She has also been awarded the district’s Newcomer of the Year and was twice awarded Team Offensive Player of the Year.

Arechiga has also starred on the hard court in both volleyball and basketball, where she has been named to several All-District teams and has won numerous team awards. She reached the 1,000 career assists milestone during the 2025 volleyball campaign.

“Kynlee is a gifted athlete who works day in and day out perfecting her game – no matter the sport,” said La Porte ISD Athletic Director and Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Elisha Thompson. “She is also a great teammate and a real pleasure to coach.”

Added Head Softball Coach Bryant Upshaw, “Kynlee is always positive and encouraging to all. She has such humility and kindness.”

Neither Vidales nor Wooley wear Texas A&M pinstripes any longer, but they very well might cross paths with the Aggies’ newest softball standout from La Porte.

Vidales, who this summer hit the first ever homerun in the AUSL Championship, is an ESPN analyst for the SEC – Texas A&M’s conference. Wooley, who just helped the Atlanta Smoke win its third straight WPFL Championship, remains just a phone call or text away.