Women's College World Series Final preview: How Texas, Texas Tech can win their first softball championship this week
How Texas reached the WCWS championship
The Longhorns' rivalry with Oklahoma is much bigger than softball, but the strength and proximity of the two softball programs heightened the Red River Rivalry whenever it went to the softball diamond. Texas has been to the final series before. In 2022 and 2024, Texas lost to Oklahoma.
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This background made Texas' 4-2 win over Oklahoma in the double elimination round of the WCWS particularly cathartic. Taking out the Sooners on the way to the final was an important step for the Longhorns.
But that doesn't mean the win over Tennessee in the semifinal was easy. Texas had to overcome the Lady Vols' ace pitcher Karlyn Pickens. In the end, the 2-0 win was enough to move Texas to the WCWS final.
What does Texas need to do to win it all?
Lean on experience in tougher moments: Though the Longhorns haven't won the NCAA championship before, they have been in two title series and know about the pressure a team faces on the biggest stage. That experience will help them during the tougher moments of the next few games.
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Use pitching smartly: It's not unusual for top softball teams to rely on one ace pitcher. The pitching motion in softball is easier to recover from than in baseball, so teams can and will use the same pitcher day after day. Texas has the luxury of having multiple strong pitcher on its roster. Teagan Kavan threw an eight-strikeout gem against Oklahoma, then served as relief in the win over Tennessee. Mac Morgan started the semifinal game and has shown she can be relied on in big moments.
How Texas Tech reached the WCWS championship
Like Texas, the Red Raiders had to get through Oklahoma to get to the championship series. Playing in primetime, Texas Tech and OU brought the drama in the Monday night game. Abigale Dayton faced an 0-2 count with two outs when she hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Oklahoma has shown its ability to come back before, and it looked like momentum had shifted in the Sooners' direction, keeping their hopes for a fifth consecutive title alive.
But Texas Tech didn't cower. The Red Raiders used small ball to get runners on the bases, and Lauren Allred hit a perfect sacrifice fly for Texas Tech to get the walk-off win and the berth in the championship series.
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Now, Texas Tech, which plays in the Big 12, has the opportunity to beat an SEC team for the title. Five of the eight teams that made it to Oklahoma City for the WCWS represent the SEC, which dominated this past season, so it is a chance to show the Big 12 still has softball firepower after the defections of Texas and Oklahoma.
What does Texas Tech need to do to win it all?
Let Nijaree Canady be Nijaree Canady: Thanks to an NIL package worth more than $1 million, Texas Tech attracted Nijaree Canady from Stanford to pitch and hit for the Red Raiders. It's worked, as she has an ERA of 0.86 — the best in the NCAA — and has pitched the team to victory in each game so far. Now, just let her shine on the mound, and make sure the defense has her back.
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Use smart defense to stop Texas' hits: The Longhorns have the second-best batting average in the NCAA. They have faced outstanding pitchers in the SEC, and they still hit .357 as a team. That means Texas Tech needs to stay locked in, communicate well and limit errors.
Women's College World Series 2025 schedule and how to watch
All games will air on ESPN
Game 1: Wednesday, June 4: Texas Tech vs. Texas, 8 pm ET
Game 2: Thursday, June 5: Texas vs. Texas Tech, 8 pm ET
Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, June 6: Texas Tech vs. Texas, 8 pm ET
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