Texas Tech ousts dynastic Oklahoma from softball World Series with seesaw seventh
As if there weren't enough storylines in an Oklahoma-Texas Tech showdown set up by high-profile offseason maneuvering, their Women's College World Series semifinal game Monday ended with a dramatic, seesaw seventh inning. The result was a 3-2 Red Raiders win that propelled them to their first appearance in the finals and halted a reign of dominance for the four-time defending champion Sooners.
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Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NiJaree Canady owns up to mistake in Texas Tech softball loss, ready to pitch WCWS Game 2
As ironic as it sounds, NiJaree Canady's biggest mistake of this Women's College World Series was throwing a pitch too close to the strike zone. Texas Tech's superstar pitcher was told to intentionally walk Texas' Reese Atwood to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 1 of the WCWS championship series. Advertisement But what was supposed to be the fourth ball floated over the middle of the plate, and Atwood pulled a ground ball into left field, scoring the Longhorns' only runs in a 2-1 win to strike the first blow in the best-of-three series Wednesday night at Devon Park. 'I made that mistake,' Canady said, matter-of-factly. 'I think that loss is on me, and I apologize to my team.' This was the first intentional walk Canady was asked to execute this season, but after Tech's first loss at the WCWS, she was in no mood to dismiss her mistake for any reason. 'I'm a college pitcher, I'm a junior now, so I should be able to do that,' she said. 'That's no excuse.' Advertisement More: How obstruction call 'fired up' Texas softball in WCWS Game 1 win over Texas Tech Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) looks up after giving up two runs in the seventh inning Game 1 of the Women's College World Series championship series between the Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Texas won 2-1. Atwood, an All-American catcher, had been hitless in her previous 10 at-bats, but Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco still felt more comfortable putting her on base and taking his chances against Joley Mitchell. But when Canady's first pitchout came in high but over the plate, Atwood took notice. 'The first pitch, I think she kind of left a little,' Atwood said. 'After that, I was looking for something just a little bit. The game's really tight, and I knew I was going to have to take a risk to try and do something for my team. Advertisement 'I saw my opportunity, and I took it.' Now, 12th-seeded Texas Tech has its back against the wall in the championship series, with sixth-seeded Texas a win away from its first NCAA softball championship. Glasco wouldn't tip his hand as to whether Canady, the game's most dominant pitcher, would be his choice to pitch Game 2, set for 7 p.m. Thursday. But Texas coach Mike White certainly knows what he expects. 'One hundred percent, without a doubt, he's going to throw her,' White said. 'He's already said he's not going to lose with his ace on the bench, and I trust Gerry.' Canady has thrown every pitch for the Red Raiders at the WCWS — in fact she's thrown every pitch for her team at the WCWS dating back to an elimination game at the 2023 tournament when she was a freshman at Stanford. Advertisement More: Texas softball rallies past NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech to win Game 1 of WCWS finals That includes all four games at Stanford last season, bringing her grand total to 859 consecutive pitches for her team. However, Texas Tech hasn't played on back-to-back days at this WCWS, so Thursday could pose a different challenge. Canady has battled injuries at times this season, and she's thrown 388 pitches in the last seven days, but she plans to be in the circle Thursday. 'I'm fine,' she said. 'I have all summer to rest. I'm ready to play softball.' Glasco wouldn't go that far, though it seems unlikely he'd take a chance in an elimination game with anyone other than the star who carried the Red Raiders this far. Advertisement 'We'll see how she feels tomorrow. She's got a lot left in her career,' he said. 'She's gonna want the ball. If you know NiJa, she's not going to complain. I want to win, but also I want to be sure we leave this season healthy for the future. 'If you've got to pick a pitcher in America to come back and win two games in a row with, I'll take NiJa.' Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@ or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at or by using the link at the top of this page. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady owns up to mistake, ready for WCWS Game 2
Chicago Tribune
43 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Tim Willert
Oklahoma's run of four straight Women's College World Series titles ended when Lauren Allred's walk-off sacrifice fly gave Texas Tech a 3-2 victory in the semifinals on Monday night.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Texas vs Texas Tech softball score: Longhorns take Game 1 of WCWS finals
Texas vs Texas Tech softball score: Longhorns take Game 1 of WCWS finals Show Caption Hide Caption Why Texas Tech, Texas will win 2025 WCWS It's a Lone Star State Women's College World Series this year, and reporter Jenni Carlson breaks down one reason Texas Tech will win and one reason Texas will win the WCWS. Texas softball needed one swing of the bat to come away with a win in Game 1 of the national championship series against Texas Tech on Wednesday. Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood came up to bat with runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Texas trailed 1-0. Texas Tech and ace pitcher NiJaree Canady opted to intentionally walk Atwood, however, Canady's pitch in a 3-0 count got too much plate, and Atwood roped a single into left field to give Texas a 2-1 lead, which stood. The pitch was a brutal mistake for the Red Raiders, as Canady was having no issues with Texas' lineup until leaving a pitch meant to be out of the strike zone over the plate. Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan was also outstanding, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Atwood's first hit at the 2025 WCWS came at a perfect time, and Texas moves one win away from its first national title in program history. Here are the highlights from Texas' 2-1 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday: TEXAS VS. TEXAS TECH: How WCWS finalists fared in regular season Texas vs Texas Tech softball highlights This section will be updated TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Texas Tech 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Texas 0 0 0 0 0 2 - 2 Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates This section will be updated Reese Atwood's two-run single is enough to win it, as Teagan Kavan shuts the door in the top of the seventh to secure Texas' 2-1 win. Kavan goes seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Wow, Texas Tech opts to intentionally walk Texas' best hitter in Reese Atwood with two outs and two runners on base, but Atwood swings anyway and drives in two runners on a single to left field. What a swing from Atwood, who gives Texas a 2-1 lead. Texas' social media account also threw some shade at the umpires in its post of Atwood's swing. Texas puts runners on 1st and 3rd base with 2 outs Texas puts runners on first and third after Kayden Henry and Mia Scott hit back-to-back singles with two outs. NiJaree Canady up to 5 strikeouts NiJaree Canady is now through five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit on five strikeouts. She is dealing against the Longhorns. Texas designated player Victoria Hunter blasts a pitch from NiJaree Canady over the left-field fence, but the ball narrowly falls left of the foul pole. That ball was crushed, but unfortunately for Texas was not in fair territory. An obstruction and an error come back to haunt Texas, as Mihyia Davis bloops a single into shallow right field that scores Logan Halleman from second base. Texas Tech leads 1-0 after the controversial call. Logan Halleman reaches first base with one out after an infield error by Kaydee Bennett before Halleman then appears to get thrown out at second base by catcher Reese Atwood. Halleman got to stay at second, however, as the umpiring crew found there was obstruction on the tag attempt. Texas Tech with a runner in scoring position with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. NiJaree Canady sets Texas down in order once again, raising her strikeout total to four on the night. Canady has been nails through four innings. Bailey Lindemuth also made a nice play on a groundball in the bottom of the fourth inning. Teagan Kavan and NiJaree Canady have been sensational so far, as the game is still tied at 0-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Kavan has allowed two hits with two strikeouts and Canady has allowed one hit with three strikeouts. One run for either team might be enough for a win at this rate. Former Georgia and Oregon softball player Geri Ann Glasco, the son of Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco, was coached by now-Texas coach Mike White with the Ducks. Geri Ann tragically died in a car accident in 2019, which was set to be her first year on Glasco's staff at Louisiana. Now, her former coach and dad are facing off for a national title. Three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes is giving back to his alma mater, as he sent a gift to Texas Tech softball that included a letterman jacket and Adidas shoes. Mahomes and the Red Raiders are both sponsored by the sports brand. NiJaree Canady hits Katie Stewart with a pitch but forces three outs on balls in play to get out of the second inning. Canady has faced seven hitters through two innings. No issues for Teagan Kavan to start the second inning, as she forces two groundouts and a flyout. Both pitchers for Texas and Texas Tech look good so far. NiJaree Canady gets a groundout and two strikeouts for an easy first inning, as she only needed 12 pitches. Mia Scott fields a groundball and fires home, getting out the lead runner before NiJaree Canady is thrown out by the catcher at first base to complete the 5-2-3 double play. Teagan Kavan then gets an inning-ending groundout, getting out of the early jam. Texas Tech squanders its opportunity. Hailey Toney follows up with another single, putting runners on first and third base with no outs. Texas Tech with an early scoring chance in the top of the first inning. Nice start for Texas Tech, as leadoff Mihyia Davis swings at the first pitch and ropes a single into left field. We're underway from Oklahoma City. As expected, Texas is starting Teagan Kavan and Texas Tech is starting NiJaree Canady in the circle. It's a rematch from their regular season matchup that went nine innings and ended with a 2-1 Texas win. RF Ashton Maloney CF Kayden Henry 3B Mia Scott C Reese Atwood 1B Joley Mitchell LF Katie Stewart SS Leighann Goode DP Victoria Hunter 2B Kaydee Bennett CF Mihyia Davis SS Hailey Toney 1B Lauren Allred P NiJaree Canady 2B Alexa Langeliers RF Alana Johnson LF Demi Elder C Victoria Valdez 3B Bailey Lindemuth Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Date: Wednesday, June 4 Wednesday, June 4 Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City) First pitch for Game 1 of the WCWS finals is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City. TV channel: ESPN ESPN Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ Game 1 of the national championship series between Texas and Texas Tech will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a cable login) and ESPN+, the latter of which serves as the network's streaming service. WCWS schedule Wednesday, June 4: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) Thursday, June 5: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) Friday, June 6: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) * * If necessary The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
