5 days ago
Texas softball tops Texas Tech 2-1 in bizarre Game 1 of NCAA Championship Series
Texas softball tops Texas Tech 2-1 in bizarre Game 1 of NCAA Championship Series
The Women's College World Series Championship Series certainly didn't lack drama in Game 1 of the best of three series. In the end, the Texas Longhorns outlasted Texas Tech 2-1 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The game was a pretty standard pitchers duel through four innings. But in the top of the fifth inning, things got weird. Tech's Logan Helleman, on first base after a UT infield error, attempted to steal second, but was thrown out by Texas catcher Reese Atwood. The call was overturned on video review because of obstruction on Texas infielder Leighann Goode. It was ruled Goode's toe was an inch too far into the basepath, even though her foot wasn't close to the runner.
Tech capitalized as Mihyia Davis' bloop a single into shallow right field scored Halleman from second. The Red Raiders took a 1-0 lead and the way Tech starting pitcher NiJaree Canady was dominating, it looked like a dark night for the burnt orange.
But the weirdness wasn't over. In the bottom of the sixth. Canady had struck out the first two batters in the inning when Kayden Henry slashed a hit to left. She then stole second. Mia Scott reached on an infield hit and also stole second. Texas had runners at second and third with Atwood coming up.
Atwood is one of the most feared hitters in college softball, but she is hitless in the postseason. Tech coach Gerry Glasco called for an intentional walk. Canady hasn't thrown an intentional walk all season. Atwood watched the first three pithes go high, but the fourth pitch was low enough to be hittable. Atwood lined the 3-0 pitch into center field plating Henry and Scott to give Texas a 2-1 lead.
That was all Teagan Kavan needed in the Top of the 7th. Kavan allowed a base runner, but still got three outs and the complete game win.
Texas now leads the series 1-0. Game 2 is set for tomorrow night at 7 p.m. CT.
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