Texas vs Texas Tech softball weather updates: WCWS finals Game 2 briefly delayed

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15 hours ago

Texas softball finds itself on the brink of history at the Women's College World Series, as the Longhorns are one win away from winning their first national championship title.
Mother Nature, however, briefly interfered with those potential celebration plans.
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Due to inclement weather in the Oklahoma City area, Game 2 of the WCWS finals between Texas and Texas Tech at Devon Park on June 5 was delayed from an original 8 p.m. ET first pitch to an 8:50 p.m. ET start.
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Texas took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three championship series on June 4: A controversial obstruction penalty was called in the top of the fifth inning in favor of Texas Tech on a stolen base attempt from Logan Halleman, who looked to be well out at second.
Then Longhorns star catcher Reese Atwood slapped a two-RBI single on a 3-0 count while NiJaree Canady attempted to intentionally walk her in the bottom of the sixth inning. She plated what were ultimately the two winning runs in a 2-1 victory over Texas Tech.
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June 4's 2-1 loss for Texas Tech was its first loss in the postseason, and its first since May 2 against BYU during the Big 12 regular season.
USA TODAY Sports provided live weather updates for Texas vs Texas Tech at the WCWS on June 5. Follow below:
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WCWS weather updates: Latest on Texas-Texas Tech Game 2
This section will be updated. All times Eastern.
8:50 p.m.: Game 2 of the WCWS between Texas Tech and Texas is underway as NiJaree Canady delivers the first pitch.
8:02 p.m.: The tarp is coming off the field in Oklahoma City. First pitch is 48 minutes away at Devon Park.
7:49 p.m.: First pitch has been delayed an additional five minutes, with the new start time estimated at 8:50 p.m., 50 minutes after scheduled first pitch.
7:15 p.m.: The heavy rain coming down at Devon Park in Oklahoma City has caused a puddle in left field. Damp and challenging playing conditions could be in store for Texas and Texas Tech outfielders in Game 2 of the WCWS on June 5.
6:55 p.m.: According to AccuWeather, there is a severe thunderstorm watch issued throughout Oklahoma City until 9 p.m. local time on June 5. There is also a flood advisory issued for the area until 8:50 p.m. local time.
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6:50 p.m.: Rain continues to come down heavily at Devon Park, where the tarp remains on the field. Gates are expected to open around 8 p.m. ET.
6:40 p.m.: According to The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Oklahoma City area by the National Weather Service.
Per NCAA rules, if lightning strikes within at least six miles of the venue of the event, the game must be suspended for at least 30 minutes. For every lightning strike that follows the initial lightning strike, the 30-minute clock is reset.
6:20 p.m. ET: The NCAA announced X (formerly Twitter) that the championship game will start in a delay due to weather in the area. First pitch is now tentatively scheduled for 8:50 p.m. ET.
WCWS weather forecast: Latest updates in Oklahoma City
Here's the updated forecast for June 5 in Oklahoma City, per the National Weather Service:
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"Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4am. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 69. Southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible."
Here's an hour-by-hour weather forecast for Oklahoma City from The Weather Channel, as of June 5 at 7:05 p.m. ET:
6 p.m. CT: Strong Storms (99% chance of rain)
7 p.m. CT: Cloudy (9% chance of rain)
8 p.m. CT: Cloudy (9% chance of rain)
9 p.m. CT: Cloudy (9% chance of rain)
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(This story has been updated with new information)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WCWS weather update: Texas-Texas Tech Game 2 starts after delay