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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
WCWS, softball tournament winners, losers: Texas leads highlights
The Longhorns would light up Canady for five runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by Leighann Goode's three-run blast, and cruised to a 10-4 win in the decider. After going the distance on Thursday night, Canady lasted just one inning Friday. To reach this point, Texas had to exorcise years of disappointment at the hands of rival Oklahoma. After capturing a record four national championships in a row heading into this year's Women's College World Series, the Sooners lost once to the Longhorns in a winner's bracket game and were eventually bounced out of the tournament by Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Texas A&M became the first No. 1 overall seed to not advance out of the opening weekend, losing twice in as many days against Liberty to make dubious college softball history. Looking back at the tournament that was, here are the biggest winners and losers: Winners Texas The Longhorns reached the finals of the Women's College World Series in 2022 and again last season, only to be swept both times by the Sooners. Beating Oklahoma last weekend was an emotional palate cleanser for a program that had carved out a place among the best in the country under coach Mike White. Beating the Red Raiders in White's seventh season is the breakthrough Texas had been waiting for. While the Sooners may enter next year as the national favorites, this championship cements Texas as a powerhouse and could vault the Longhorns into a back-to-back streak of their own. NiJaree Canady It's hard to overstate Canady's incredible impact on a program that entered this season having never won a conference championship or even advanced out of the regional round in six previous tournament appearances. In her first year on campus, Canady and her right arm propelled Tech to the pinnacle of the sport and nearly delivered what might have been the most unexpected national championship in college softball history. Despite the disappointment of getting knocked out early in the deciding game against Texas, Canady's legacy as a transformative figure for the Red Raiders is already secure even as she prepares for one final year with the program. Jordy Bahl The former Oklahoma transfer carried Nebraska into the super regionals for the first time since 2014 and the third time in program history. She hit four home runs in the Baton Rouge regional to give her 23 on the year, setting a new program record. Bahl added tournament wins against Southeastern Louisiana and Tennessee to give her 26 victories and make her the fourth player in NCAA history with at least 20 home runs and 20 wins on the year. While Nebraska was unable to close out the Volunteers after taking the first game of the super regional series, Bahl and the Cornhuskers set the foundation for a run at the national championship next season. Losers Texas A&M The postseason was never easy for a team that surged to the finish line of the regular season by crushing Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida. After dropping the regional opener to Liberty, the Aggies needed a controversial obstruction call, six Liberty errors and extra innings to beat the Flames 14-11 in the first elimination game. In the second, freshman KK Dement homered to help put A&M ahead 3-0 heading into the fifth inning, but Liberty right fielder Rachel Roupe hit a solo shot in the top of the fifth to make it 3-1 going into the sixth. Roupe would go deep again in the sixth to put Liberty up 6-3 and on track for the historic upset. LSU It's one thing to get bounced in the opening weekend as regional hosts and another to get bounced in the opening weekend as regional hosts to Southeastern Louisiana, which went into the weekend in Baton Rouge with an 0-15 record in games against LSU. But the Lions topped the Tigers 4-3 in the opener and then won 8-7 in the rematch, scoring two of the biggest wins in program history before dropping the regional final to the Cornhuskers. And the second game against LSU was a wild one: Down 4-1 after the first inning and trailing 6-4 after five, the Tigers traded runs until allowing the walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh, when the Lions loaded the bases with none out before beating the throw home on a fielder's choice. This is the third time in four years LSU has failed to advance out of the regionals, though the program remains a national power under coach Beth Torina. Clemson The Tigers came up short in the super regional against Texas after taking the first game of the series. Postseason disappointment is not a new feeling for this young program: Clemson has now lost in the super regionals three times since playing its first game in 2020. The Tigers will be kicking themselves until next spring after leaving a combined 17 runners on the bases and allowing four unearned runs in the two losses to the Longhorns. While that marquee Women's College World Series moment has yet to arrive, the Tigers seem even more destined to eventually break through on this stage after pushing the eventual national champions to the brink. Arkansas The Razorbacks finished six spots above Mississippi in the SEC standings but could never solve the Rebels, who took the regular-season series in early March and then won two of three in the Fayetteville super regional. This marked Arkansas' fourth loss in the super regionals in as many tries, with all four appearances since coach Courtney Deifel was hired in 2016. Arkansas is one of only two SEC programs, along with Mississippi State, to never reach the Women's College World Series stage.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas softball vs Texas Tech score: Longhorns dominate Game 3 for WCWS title
Texas softball vs Texas Tech score: Longhorns dominate Game 3 for WCWS title Show Caption Hide Caption How the SEC's softball dominance could carry it through to the Women's College World Series The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson shares the top storylines she's following through the NCAA softball tournament, starting with the SEC's biggest strengths. Texas softball is a national champion for the first time. The Longhorns defeated Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Friday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Texas scored five runs off NiJaree Canady in the first inning and never looked back. Leighann Goode capped the explosive first inning for the Longhorns with a three-run blast, which turned out to be the only inning for Canady. Texas added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on a grand slam by catcher Reese Atwood, but could not finish the game with a run-rule victory in the fifth inning. Texas ace Teagan Kavan limited Texas Tech to four runs and eight hits, but none of the runs she allowed were earned. This was the Longhorns' eighth WCWS appearance, but their first-ever championship. The Longhorns lost to rival Oklahoma in the championship series last season. USA TODAY Sports has you covered with scores and highlights from Game 3 of the WCWS finals. Catch up with the WCWS Game 3 here: Watch WCWS finals with ESPN+ This section will be updated TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Texas Tech 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 4 Texas 5 0 1 4 0 0 ― 10 Texas defeats Texas Tech 10-4 first-ever national championship in softball. Mia Scott hit a grand slam in the fourth inning, while Leighann Goode had a three-run home run in the first inning. The Longhorns scored five runs in the first inning off Canady. Teagan Kavan struck out three in a complete game effort, limiting the Red Raiders to four runs, but none of them were earned due to errors by the Texas defense. Hailey Toney singles to left field to score Makayla Garcia to make it 10-4. Mihyia Davis is thrown out at third, but obstruction is called. The play is under review. The call is overturned and Davis is out at third. Texas has two outs. Samantha Lincoln strikes out Reese Atwood and Katie Stewart with the game-clinching run in scoring position. Texas Tech forces a seventh inning. The Longhorns are still three outs away from a national championship. Texas Tech cannot put up a run in the top of the sixth inning. Texas will have another chance to walk it off via run rule in the bottom of the inning. Kavan picked up her second and third strikeouts in the sixth. A combination of a three-run fifth for the Red Raiders and a scoreless frame for the Longhorns keeps Texas Tech out of run rule territory. The Red Raiders will get to bat at least once more in the sixth inning. Texas Tech is not done yet. Hailey Toney with a two-RBI single and it's 10-3 Texas with the lead in the fifth. The run-rule is off the table, for now. Mihyia Davis plates a run on an infield single, followed by a throwing error, putting runners on second and third with two outs for Texas Tech. Texas has a 10-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning vs. Texas Tech. The Longhorns are three outs away in the top of the fifth inning from picking up a run-rule victory. Here's an explanation of how the run-rule works in college softball. Samantha Lincoln is taking over in the circle for Chloe Riassetto. Lincoln will be the third pitcher of the game for the Longhorns. Mia Scott deposits a ball over the center field wall for a grand slam. That's a 10-0 lead for Texas. The Longhorns are now three outs away from a run-rule victory. Teagan Kavan has now gone 28 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run at the WCWS. That's the longest streak by any pitcher at the WCWS. Hailey Toney gets the first Texas Tech hit of the game off Teagan Kavan. However, Kavan retires the next three hitters in order and is through four innings without allowing a run. Toney was the first baserunner for the Red Raiders since Lauren Allred was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Reese Atwood leads off the bottom of the third inning with a double and is followed by a double by Katie Stewart, which scores Atwood. The Longhorns are now up 6-0. They are closing in on eight run-rule territory. Teagan Kavan has retired seven in a row, as she records her second straight 1-2-3 inning. Kavan only has one strikeout so far, but has generated five groundouts. After hanging five runs in the first inning against NiJaree Canady, Texas is unable to add more despite a two-out single from Kayden Henry. Chloe Riassetto, who came in in relief of Canady, holds the Longhorns scoreless to begin her night. Chloe Riassetto replaces NiJaree Canady in the circle in the second inning. Riassetto will be the first non-Canady pitcher to throw in the WCWS and since the start of the Tallahassee Super Regional. Teagan Kavan delivers a shutdown inning by retiring Texas Tech 1-2-3 in the second inning. A quick inning from the Texas pitcher gets the Longhorns back at the plate with a chance to build on the lead. Leighann Goode hits a three-run home run off NiJaree Canady with two outs. Texas now leads 5-0 in the first inning. It's Goode's fourth home run of the postseason and the 10th of the season. The Longhorns had five runs total in the first two games. Texas has seemed to figure out NiJaree Canady, as Katie Stewart drives in another run on a single. The Longhorns have four straight hits, including back-to-back RBI singles to make it 2-0 Texas in the bottom of the first. With runners on first and second and one out, Texas catcher Reese Atwood singles through the right side for an RBI single to score Kayden Henry. The Longhorns have runners on second and third with one out following an E7. Teagan Kavan throws a scoreless first inning, working around a two-out hit batter. Kavan needed just four pitches to retire the first two hitters, but Lauren Allred forced a 13-pitch at bat before being hit by a pitch. Kavan induces a groundball by Alana Johnson to get out of the inning. Texas is the home team for WCWS Game 3. That means the Longhorns field and pitch first and would bat last in the seventh inning, if necessary. Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan fires a first pitch strike and Game 3 of the 2025 WCWS is officially underway. A regulation college softball game is seven innings long. A typical game is seven innings, unless there are extra innings or the game ends after five innings due to the run-rule. Read more about the length of a softball game here. Teagan Kavan is starting for Texas in Game 3 of the WCWS final. Kavan started and won Game 1, but did not come out of the bullpen until the bottom of the sixth inning in Game 2. Kavan allowed two inherited runners to score, which were key insurance runs for the Red Raiders. Here's the Longhorns' starting lineup for the third game of the WCWS final: Ashton Maloney, RF Kayden Henry, CF Mia Scott, 3B Reese Atwood, C Katie Stewart, LF Joley Mitchell, 1B Leighann Goode, SS Katie Cimusz, DP Kaydee Bennett, 2B For the third straight night, NiJaree Canady is the starter for the Red Raiders. Canady has thrown 495 pitches in five games in the WCWS. Here's the lineup for the Red Raiders in Game 3 of the WCWS final. Texas Tech is the designated road team. Mihyia Davis, CF Hailey Toney, SS Lauren Allred, 1B Alana Johnson, RF Alexa Langeliers, 2B NiJaree Canady, SP Demi Elder, LF Victoria Valdez, C Bailey Lindemuth, 3B Game 2 of the WCWS final between Texas and Texas Tech was the most-watched Game 2 ever with 2.1 million viewers. The game peaked at 2.6 million viewers and was up 5% from 2024's Game 2 between Texas and Oklahoma. The game is the fifth-most watched college softball game across ESPN platforms. Not only is Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady flourishing in the circle in the WCWS this week in Oklahoma City, she is also doing well for herself off the field. She has reportedly signed a new NIL deal ahead of Game 3. Read more about the details of her latest deal here. Texas and Texas Tech are set to square off in a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Women's College World Series championship series. Since the format was adopted in 2005, this marks the seventh Game 3. Here's a look at the history of Game 3s. What time does Texas vs Texas Tech softball start? Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET Date: Friday, June 6 Friday, June 6 Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City) First pitch for Game 3 of the WCWS finals is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City. What TV channel is Texas vs Texas Tech softball on today? TV channel: ESPN ESPN Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ Game 3 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 finals schedule
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
WCWS, softball tournament winners and losers: Texas captures first national title
WCWS, softball tournament winners and losers: Texas captures first national title The NCAA softball tournament began with an historic upset and ended with Texas delivering the first national championship in program history. Facing off against Texas Tech and star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the Longhorns sneaked out a 2-1 win in Wednesday's opener of the best-of-three championship series before losing 4-3 in the second game, setting up Friday's winner-take-all finale. The Longhorns would light up Canady for five runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by Leighann Goode's three-run blast, and cruised to a 10-4 win in the decider. After going the distance on Thursday night, Canady lasted just one inning Friday. To reach this point, Texas had to exorcise years of disappointment at the hands of rival Oklahoma. After capturing a record four national championships in a row heading into this year's Women's College World Series, the Sooners lost once to the Longhorns in a winner's bracket game and were eventually bounced out of the tournament by Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Texas A&M became the first No. 1 overall seed to not advance out of the opening weekend, losing twice in as many days against Liberty to make dubious college softball history. Looking back at the tournament that was, here are the biggest winners and losers: Winners Texas The Longhorns reached the finals of the Women's College World Series in 2022 and again last season, only to be swept both times by the Sooners. Beating Oklahoma last weekend was an emotional palate cleanser for a program that had carved out a place among the best in the country under coach Mike White. Beating the Red Raiders in White's seventh season is the breakthrough Texas had been waiting for. While the Sooners may enter next year as the national favorites, this championship cements Texas as a powerhouse and could vault the Longhorns into a back-to-back streak of their own. NiJaree Canady It's hard to overstate Canady's incredible impact on a program that entered this season having never won a conference championship or even advanced out of the regional round in six previous tournament appearances. In her first year on campus, Canady and her right arm propelled Tech to the pinnacle of the sport and nearly delivered what might have been the most unexpected national championship in college softball history. Despite the disappointment of getting knocked out early in the deciding game against Texas, Canady's legacy as a transformative figure for the Red Raiders is already secure even as she prepares for one final year with the program. Jordy Bahl The former Oklahoma transfer carried Nebraska into the super regionals for the first time since 2014 and the third time in program history. She hit four home runs in the Baton Rouge regional to give her 23 on the year, setting a new program record. Bahl added tournament wins against Southeastern Louisiana and Tennessee to give her 26 victories and make her the fourth player in NCAA history with at least 20 home runs and 20 wins on the year. While Nebraska was unable to close out the Volunteers after taking the first game of the super regional series, Bahl and the Cornhuskers set the foundation for a run at the national championship next season. Losers Texas A&M The postseason was never easy for a team that surged to the finish line of the regular season by crushing Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida. After dropping the regional opener to Liberty, the Aggies needed a controversial obstruction call, six Liberty errors and extra innings to beat the Flames 14-11 in the first elimination game. In the second, freshman KK Dement homered to help put A&M ahead 3-0 heading into the fifth inning, but Liberty right fielder Rachel Roupe hit a solo shot in the top of the fifth to make it 3-1 going into the sixth. Roupe would go deep again in the sixth to put Liberty up 6-3 and on track for the historic upset. LSU It's one thing to get bounced in the opening weekend as regional hosts and another to get bounced in the opening weekend as regional hosts to Southeastern Louisiana, which went into the weekend in Baton Rouge with an 0-15 record in games against LSU. But the Lions topped the Tigers 4-3 in the opener and then won 8-7 in the rematch, scoring two of the biggest wins in program history before dropping the regional final to the Cornhuskers. And the second game against LSU was a wild one: Down 4-1 after the first inning and trailing 6-4 after five, the Tigers traded runs until allowing the walk-off win the bottom of the seventh, when the Lions loaded the bases with none out before beating the throw home on a fielder's choice. This is the third time in four years LSU has failed to advance out of the regionals, though the program remains a national power under coach Beth Torina. Clemson The Tigers came up short in the super regional against Texas after taking the first game of the series. Postseason disappointment is not a new feeling for this young program: Clemson has now lost in the super regionals three times since playing its first game in 2020. The Tigers will be kicking themselves until next spring after leaving a combined 17 runners on the bases and allowing four unearned runs in the two losses to the Longhorns. While that marquee World Series moment has yet to arrive, the Tigers seem even more destined to eventually break through on this stage after pushing the eventual national champions to the brink. Arkansas The Razorbacks finished six spots above Mississippi in the SEC standings but could never solve the Rebels, who took the regular-season series in early March and then won two of three in the Fayetteville super regional. This marked Arkansas' fourth loss in the super regionals in as many tries, with all four appearances since coach Courtney Deifel was hired in 2016. Arkansas is one of only two SEC programs, along with Mississippi State, to never reach the World Series stage.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Did Texas' Leighann Goode commit obstruction? Call gets Texas Tech run in WCWS final
Did Texas' Leighann Goode commit obstruction? Call gets Texas Tech run in WCWS final 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. Controversy has struck at the 2025 Women's College World Series. Texas catcher Reese Atwood appeared to throw out Texas Tech baserunner Logan Halleman by good measure after the latter attempted to steal second base in the top of the fifth inning of Game 1 of the WCWS championship series. However, Red Raiders coach Gerry Glasco quickly came out to challenge the out call to check if there was any obstruction. Following a review, the umpires ruled that shortstop Leighann Goode interfered with Halleman's ability to get to second base. Halleman was awarded second base and the out was taken off the board. REQUIRED READING: Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates: WCWS finals Game 1 score, highlights One batter later, Mihyia Davis singled to right-center field to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead in what has been a pitchers' duel between NiJaree Canady and Teagan Kavan. What is obstruction? Explaining the college softball rule Rule 9.5 of the NCAA softball rulebook states that obstruction is when a defensive player inserts themselves into the path of a runner and blocks that player away from attempting to reach that base safely. "Obstruction occurs when a defensive player, neither in possession of the ball nor in the act of fielding a batted ball, impedes a batter's attempt to make contact with a pitch or impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball. It can be intentional or unintentional." Obstruction can also be called when a defensive player does not have possession of the ball when said fielder: A. Blocks any part of the leading edge of first, second or third base or home plate (as defined); or B. Otherwise blocks the runner from advancing or returning to a base. By the letter of the rule, because Goode blocked the leading edge of second base, not allowing Halleman a clear path to second base on the stolen base attempt, it was ruled obstruction by the umpires. The call, of course, was met with plenty of controversy online. Whether the play and the run it allowed ends up costing Texas remains to be seen.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Women's College World Series schedule: How the NCAA Softball Tournament works
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. The field of 64 in the NCAA softball tournament has been whittled down to eight teams that will converge on Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. this week for the 2025 Women's College World Series. For the second consecutive season and the eighth time overall, the elite eight remaining teams includes Texas softball, which knocked off Clemson in a thriller of a super regional series this past weekend in Austin. The College Softball World Series starts Thursday. Advertisement Have questions about the WCWS? Wondering about who made it and when teams such as Oklahoma, Texas, UCLA or Oregon may play? Here are some answers: More: Texas softball took Clemson's best shot and persevered for another WCWS trip | Golden Which teams made the 2025 Women's College World Series? ∙ No. 2 Oklahoma: Swept Alabama in Norman super regional ∙ No. 3 Florida: Beat Georgia in Gainesville super regional ∙ No. 6 Texas: Beat Clemson in Austin super regional ∙ No. 7 Tennessee: Beat Nebraska in Knoxville super regional ∙ No. 9 UCLA: Beat South Carolina in Columbia super regional ∙ No. 12 Texas Tech: Swept Florida State in Tallahassee super regional Advertisement ∙ No. 16 Oregon: Swept Liberty in Eugene super regional ∙ Ole Miss: Beat No. 4 Arkansas in Fayetteville super regional How does the WCWS work? It's a double-elimination format from May 29-June 2, which means a team can endure one loss, get placed in the bracket with the other one-loss teams and still win the national championship. But two losses preceding the championship series, regardless of the timing, means an end to the season. More: Texas SS Leighann Goode lives up to last name, Horns punch ticket to College World Series How does the WCWS championship series work? The two teams that get through the initial round of games without two losses will meet in a best-of-three series that starts June 4. Both teams will enter the championship series on even footing; losses suffered during the first part of the WCWS don't matter once the championship series begins. When would Texas softball have to play Oklahoma? Any meeting between the bitter rivals — the Sooners beat Texas in the 2022 and 2024 WCWS championship series and swept the Longhorns this season — depends on first-game results. But it could come soon; if Texas beats Florida in its first game and Oklahoma handles Tennessee in its opener, the Longhorns and Sooners will meet in the second game for each team Saturday. Advertisement But remember: The two teams could meet in the championship series regardless of who wins any potential meeting early in the tournament. Texas catcher Reese Atwood, left, and pitcher Teagan Kavan speak during last Saturday's NCAA super regional game against Clemson. The Longhorns are one of eight teams that have qualified for the Women's College World Series, which starts this week. What's the full WCWS schedule? Most games will be broadcast on one of the ESPN platforms. Here's the full schedule for the 2025 Women's College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City (all times Central): Thursday, May 29 ∙ Game 1: No. 6 Texas beat No. 3 Florida 3-0 ∙ Game 2: No. 2 Oklahoma beat No. 7 Tennessee 4-3 ∙ Game 3: No. 12 Texas Tech beat Ole Miss 1-0 ∙ Game 4: No. 9 UCLA beat No. 16 Oregon 4-2 Friday, May 30 ∙ Game 5: No. 7 Tennessee beat No. 3 Florida 11-3 Advertisement ∙ Game 6: No. 16 Oregon beat Ole Miss 6-5 Saturday, May 31 ∙ Game 7: No. 6 Texas beat No. 2 Oklahoma 4-2 ∙ Game 8: No. 12 Texas Tech beat No. 9 UCLA 3-1 Sunday, June 1 ∙ Game 9: No. 7 Tennessee vs. Loser of UCLA/Texas Tech, 2 p.m., ABC ∙ Game 10: Oregon vs. Oklahoma, 6 p.m., ESPN2 Monday, June 2 ∙ Game 11: Texas vs. Winner of Game 9, 11 a.m., ESPN ∙ Game 12: TBD vs. TBD, 1:30 p.m. (if necessary) Game 13: Winner of Texas Tech/UCLA vs. Winner of Game 10 , 6 p.m., ESPN Game 14: TBD vs. TBD, 8:30 p.m. (if necessary), ESPN2 Tuesday, June 3 ∙ Off day Wednesday, June 4 ∙ WCWS finals, Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., ESPN Thursday, June 5 ∙ WCWS finals, Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., EPSN Friday, June 6 (if necessary) ∙ WCWS finals, Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m., ESPN Advertisement Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: NCAA Softball Tournament: WCWS schedule, scores, TV channel
