Latest news with #ReeseAtwood
CBS News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Texas takes a 2-1 win over Texas Tech in Women's College World Series finals opener
Reese Atwood hit a go-ahead, two-run single for Texas when Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady was trying to walk her intentionally in the sixth inning, and the Longhorns beat the Red Raiders 2-1 in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series finals on Wednesday night. Teagan Kavan pitched a three-hitter for Texas (54-11), which can secure its first national title with a victory in Game 2 on Thursday night. Texas Tech (53-12) would have to win two straight to claim its first championship in its first WCWS appearance. Canady allowed four hits and struck out seven, but she has lost four of five career starts against Texas, with two of those defeats for the Red Raiders this season and two for her previous school, Stanford. This one came down to a pitch that Canady tried but failed to throw well out of the strike zone. "I made that mistake," she said. "I think that loss is on me, and I apologize to my team." Canady struck out the first two batters in the sixth but ran into trouble when Kayden Henry singled to left and stole second. Mia Scott reached on an infield single, moving Henry to third, and Scott took second without a throw. With first base open and a 3-0 count on Atwood, Texas Tech catcher Victoria Valdez stood up to set a target well out of the zone for Canady, but the pitch came in letter-high and Atwood hit a hard grounder through the left side. "You've got to give credit to Atwood there," Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco said. "She wanted to play ball. She wanted to make a play. She made a difference in the game at a time we were trying to take her out of the game." Texas Tech scored in the fifth inning with the help of an obstruction call. Pinch-hitter Logan Halleman reached on a fielding error and Atwood threw her out trying to steal second. Texas Tech challenged the call, and umpires ruled that shortstop Leighanne Goode had obstructed Halleman's path to the bag. Mihya Davis singled to right-center to drive in Halleman. Kavan has not allowed an earned run in four WCWS appearances. Over 24 innings, she has allowed 12 hits and struck out 15. She got 10 groundouts on Wednesday night. The Red Raiders threatened in the first, loading the bases with no outs. Canady, who leads Texas Tech with 11 homers, hit a grounder to third to start a 5-2-3 double play, and Alexa Langeliers grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning. "Obviously it was a hard-fought game," Texas coach Mike White said. "It could have gone either way, a game of inches. A lot of things happening for a 2-1 ballgame for sure. Fortunately we were able to come out on top of it. NiJaree Canady is just an extremely good pitcher. We have one on our side too with Teagan Kavan. They kind of matched toe-to-toe for quite a while, and it was good."
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas' Reese Atwood swings at NiJaree Canady walk attempt, scores go-ahead WCWS runs
Texas softball's Reese Atwood pulled a Miguel Cabrera in the 2025 Women's College World Series. The Longhorns catcher was in the process of being intentionally walked by Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady in Game 1 of the championship series, with Texas trailing 1-0 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Instead, a 3-0 pitch by Canady caught too much of the plate and Atwood drove a single to right field to plate a pair of runs. Advertisement REQUIRED READING: Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates: WCWS finals Game 1 score, highlights The Longhorns took a 2-1 lead over the Red Raiders in the bottom of the sixth inning as a result of Atwood's heroics. For Atwood, it was a bit of redemption. She had appeared to catch Logan Halleman stealing second base in the fifth inning, but Leighann Goode was called for obstruction and Halleman was awarded second base. Mihyia Davis drove in the go-ahead run one batter later. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas' Reese Atwood swings at walk attempt, scores go-ahead WCWS runs
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas' Reese Atwood swings at NiJaree Canady walk attempt, scores winning WCWS runs
Texas softball's Reese Atwood pulled a Miguel Cabrera in the 2025 Women's College World Series. The Longhorns catcher was in the process of being intentionally walked by Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady in Game 1 of the championship series, with Texas trailing 1-0 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Instead, a 3-0 pitch by Canady caught too much of the plate and Atwood drove a single to right field to plate a pair of runs. Advertisement REQUIRED READING: Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates: WCWS finals Game 1 score, highlights The Longhorns took a 2-1 lead over the Red Raiders in the bottom of the sixth inning as a result of Atwood's heroics. For Atwood, it was a bit of redemption. She had appeared to catch Logan Halleman stealing second base in the fifth inning, but Leighann Goode was called for obstruction and Halleman was awarded second base. Mihyia Davis drove in the go-ahead run one batter later. The play ultimately proved to be the game-winner for the Longhorns after the Red Raiders failed to get the tying run to cross the plate in the top of the seventh inning. With that, Atwood and Texas will take a 1-0 lead into the potentially fateful Game 2 on June 5. Advertisement This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas' Reese Atwood swings at walk attempt, scores winning WCWS runs
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WCWS Frenzy: Social Media erupts after controversial obstruction call in WCWS finals
A pivotal obstruction call in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series finals between Texas and Texas Tech has ignited widespread debate across the softball community and social media, with players, coaches and fans questioning the rule's application and its impact on the game. The controversy unfolded in the top of the fifth inning when Texas catcher Reese Atwood appeared to throw out Texas Tech's Logan Halleman on a steal attempt at second base. However, after a challenge by Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco, umpires ruled that Texas shortstop Leighann Goode obstructed Halleman's path, awarding the runner second base and overturning what looked like a routine caught stealing. Two batters later, Texas Tech scored the game's first run, a crucial moment in a tightly contested matchup. Advertisement The ruling, based on NCAA softball's obstruction guidelines, states that a defender cannot block any part of the base or impede a runner's path unless in possession of the ball. Despite the rule's clarity on paper, its real-time enforcement has become a flashpoint, especially in high-stakes postseason play. The outcry extended to college coaches and analysts, some of whom urged the NCAA to revisit the obstruction rule in their annual survey, arguing that its current interpretation is a clear problem this entire post-season and that such calls could have cost the Longhorns the game. While the rule is designed to protect runners and ensure fair play, critics argue that its rigid enforcement has overshadowed athletic performances and led to outcomes that feel at odds with the spirit of competition. 'There is no question that Halleman would've been out without the obstruction, but the rule states that on obstruction, the runner is awarded the base,' The Sporting News wrote. Advertisement As the WCWS continues tomorrow, the debate over obstruction calls is likely to intensify, with many in the softball community calling for clearer guidelines and more consistent application to preserve the integrity and excitement of the sport. The Longhorns took game one of the WCWS 2-1 over the Big 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders, who never trailed throughout the tournament until meeting the Longhorns at the championship. Game two is set for tomorrow, May 5 at 7:00pm CT. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: WCWS Final Texas vs. Texas Tech sparks frenzy online
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
WCWS Frenzy: Social Media erupts after controversial obstruction call in WCWS finals
WCWS Frenzy: Social Media erupts after controversial obstruction call in WCWS finals The controversy unfolded in the top of the fifth inning when Texas catcher Reese Atwood appeared to throw out Texas Tech's Logan Halleman on a steal attempt at second base. A pivotal obstruction call in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series finals between Texas and Texas Tech has ignited widespread debate across the softball community and social media, with players, coaches and fans questioning the rule's application and its impact on the game. The controversy unfolded in the top of the fifth inning when Texas catcher Reese Atwood appeared to throw out Texas Tech's Logan Halleman on a steal attempt at second base. However, after a challenge by Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco, umpires ruled that Texas shortstop Leighann Goode obstructed Halleman's path, awarding the runner second base and overturning what looked like a routine caught stealing. Two batters later, Texas Tech scored the game's first run, a crucial moment in a tightly contested matchup. The ruling, based on NCAA softball's obstruction guidelines, states that a defender cannot block any part of the base or impede a runner's path unless in possession of the ball. Despite the rule's clarity on paper, its real-time enforcement has become a flashpoint, especially in high-stakes postseason play. The outcry extended to college coaches and analysts, some of whom urged the NCAA to revisit the obstruction rule in their annual survey, arguing that its current interpretation is a clear problem this entire post-season and that such calls could have cost the Longhorns the game. While the rule is designed to protect runners and ensure fair play, critics argue that its rigid enforcement has overshadowed athletic performances and led to outcomes that feel at odds with the spirit of competition. 'There is no question that Halleman would've been out without the obstruction, but the rule states that on obstruction, the runner is awarded the base,' The Sporting News wrote. As the WCWS continues tomorrow, the debate over obstruction calls is likely to intensify, with many in the softball community calling for clearer guidelines and more consistent application to preserve the integrity and excitement of the sport. The Longhorns took game one of the WCWS 2-1 over the Big 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders, who never trailed throughout the tournament until meeting the Longhorns at the championship. Game two is set for tomorrow, May 5 at 7:00pm CT.
