Latest news with #TeaganKavan
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Women's College World Series Final preview: How Texas, Texas Tech can win their first softball championship this week
The Women's College World Series Final is set. Texas Tech will face Texas in a best-of-three series to decide the NCAA champion in women's softball. Both teams had to get through Oklahoma, the four-time defending champions, and it wasn't easy. No matter who wins, they will be a first-time champion and the toast of the Lone Star State. Here's what you need to know before you tune in beginning Wednesday night: How Texas reached the WCWS championship The Longhorns' rivalry with Oklahoma is much bigger than softball, but the strength and proximity of the two softball programs heightened the Red River Rivalry whenever it went to the softball diamond. Texas has been to the final series before. In 2022 and 2024, Texas lost to Oklahoma. Advertisement This background made Texas' 4-2 win over Oklahoma in the double elimination round of the WCWS particularly cathartic. Taking out the Sooners on the way to the final was an important step for the Longhorns. But that doesn't mean the win over Tennessee in the semifinal was easy. Texas had to overcome the Lady Vols' ace pitcher Karlyn Pickens. In the end, the 2-0 win was enough to move Texas to the WCWS final. What does Texas need to do to win it all? Lean on experience in tougher moments: Though the Longhorns haven't won the NCAA championship before, they have been in two title series and know about the pressure a team faces on the biggest stage. That experience will help them during the tougher moments of the next few games. Advertisement Use pitching smartly: It's not unusual for top softball teams to rely on one ace pitcher. The pitching motion in softball is easier to recover from than in baseball, so teams can and will use the same pitcher day after day. Texas has the luxury of having multiple strong pitcher on its roster. Teagan Kavan threw an eight-strikeout gem against Oklahoma, then served as relief in the win over Tennessee. Mac Morgan started the semifinal game and has shown she can be relied on in big moments. How Texas Tech reached the WCWS championship Like Texas, the Red Raiders had to get through Oklahoma to get to the championship series. Playing in primetime, Texas Tech and OU brought the drama in the Monday night game. Abigale Dayton faced an 0-2 count with two outs when she hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Oklahoma has shown its ability to come back before, and it looked like momentum had shifted in the Sooners' direction, keeping their hopes for a fifth consecutive title alive. But Texas Tech didn't cower. The Red Raiders used small ball to get runners on the bases, and Lauren Allred hit a perfect sacrifice fly for Texas Tech to get the walk-off win and the berth in the championship series. Advertisement Now, Texas Tech, which plays in the Big 12, has the opportunity to beat an SEC team for the title. Five of the eight teams that made it to Oklahoma City for the WCWS represent the SEC, which dominated this past season, so it is a chance to show the Big 12 still has softball firepower after the defections of Texas and Oklahoma. What does Texas Tech need to do to win it all? Let Nijaree Canady be Nijaree Canady: Thanks to an NIL package worth more than $1 million, Texas Tech attracted Nijaree Canady from Stanford to pitch and hit for the Red Raiders. It's worked, as she has an ERA of 0.86 — the best in the NCAA — and has pitched the team to victory in each game so far. Now, just let her shine on the mound, and make sure the defense has her back. Advertisement Use smart defense to stop Texas' hits: The Longhorns have the second-best batting average in the NCAA. They have faced outstanding pitchers in the SEC, and they still hit .357 as a team. That means Texas Tech needs to stay locked in, communicate well and limit errors. Women's College World Series 2025 schedule and how to watch All games will air on ESPN Game 1: Wednesday, June 4: Texas Tech vs. Texas, 8 pm ET Game 2: Thursday, June 5: Texas vs. Texas Tech, 8 pm ET Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, June 6: Texas Tech vs. Texas, 8 pm ET
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Texas, Texas Tech Clash For 2025 Women's College World Series Title
Wednesday, June 4 starts the championship series in Oklahoma City with Texas facing Texas Tech in a best-of-three matchup. Both Texas and Texas Tech had to outlast six other softball teams to reach the championship series in Oregon, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Florida, UCLA, and Oklahoma. Texas defeated Florida 3-0 to open the World Series on May 29, as first baseman Joley Mitchell and left fielder Katie Stewart blasted three home runs off Gators' sophomore pitcher Keagan Rothrock in the win. Texas softball players before an NCAA softball Women's College World Series game against Oklahoma, ... More Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis) Texas went on to defeat Oklahoma, their arch nemesis at the World Series on Saturday, May 31, 4-2. The Sooners gave up uncharacteristic first inning runs off a throwing error and a sacrifice from Texas catcher Reese Atwood. In the fifth and sixth, Kayden Henry and Mitchell made Oklahoma ace Sam Landry pay and sent balls into the outfield crowd. This was all the fuel that sophomore pitcher Teagan Kavan needed as she threw the complete game with eight strikeouts, one walk and only conceded one earned run. Kavan also revealed in the post game interview that she lost her grandmother earlier that morning and the win was for her. Texas infielder Joley Mitchell (9) hits a home run during an NCAA softball Women's College World ... More Series game against Oklahoma, Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Oklahoma City. Texas won 4-2. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis) Texas had traditionally struggled to beat the Sooners, as they were 1-11 against OU until Saturday. There was also a bit of extra motivation for the Longhorns as they had previously been swept by the Sooners for the title in 2022 and 2024. Texas then faced Tennessee on Monday, June 2 and the Lady Vols had to beat the Longhorns twice, as they had previously lost to Oklahoma on Thursday, May 29, 4-3. Although the Lady Vols had battled back from their opening loss to OU and sent UCLA to the loser's bracket in five innings, 11-3 on Sunday, they ultimately fell to Texas, 2-0. Texas scored off a solo home run from Stewart in the fourth and then again in the sixth off a throwing error from Tennessee third baseman Taylor Pannell. For the Texas Tech Red Raiders, they opened the World Series with a 1-0 win over Ole Miss. In the win, Alana Johnson roped a double down the left field line to score teammate Lauren Allred. This would be all the run support that ace NaJaree Canady needed as she threw a complete game shut out with 10 strikeouts and only conceded two hits, both in the sixth inning. Texas Tech starting pitcher/relief pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) during an NCAA softball Women's ... More College World Series game against Mississippi, Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis) Tech went on to face and defeat UCLA, 3-1 on Saturday, May 31. Tech was the significant underdog in the matchup as UCLA has been to the World Series a record 33 times and are 12 time champions, most recently in 2019. The Red Raiders seemed unfazed by the big moment as head coach Gerry Glasco called a gutsy delayed home steal in the fifth inning for Tech's first run. UCLA would also score in the fifth inning off a home run from Kaniya Bragg to tie the game, 1-1. Texas Tech scored again in the sixth off a solo home run from shortstop Hailey Toney and in the seventh when Raegan Jennings singled to left center and scored Alana Johnson who had walked previously in the inning. Canady again showed her dominance in the circle as she threw all seven innings for the Red Raiders and allowed four hits, two walks, and struck out seven batters. Fans cheer during an NCAA softball Women's College World Series game between UCLA andTexas Tech, ... More Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Oklahoma City. Texas Tech won 3-1. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis) In their final game in route to the championship series, Texas Tech faced the ultimate Goliath in Oklahoma, the four-time consecutive NCAA champions. The Red Raiders got out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning as outfielder Demi Elder ripped a triple to right field which scored Johnson, who walked in the previous at bat. Then third baseman Bailey Lindemuth singled to left center and scored Elder. There would be a pitching dual and battle for the remaining four innings between Canady and Oklahoma's Sam Landry but in the seventh inning, when only three outs remained, Oklahoma would tie the game. Outfielder Abby Dayton blasted a high change up over the right field fence and broke up Canady's shutout. Dayton had previously only hit two home runs all season. The Red Raiders won in the bottom of the seventh as Mihyia Davis singled, followed by a double to the left field wall from Lindemuth, to put runners on the corners. Toney would once again be the hero for the Red Raiders as she sent a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Davis for the win, 3-2. Texas Tech pitcher NaJaree Canady celebrates on the mound. The Red Raiders defeated No. 2 overall ... More NCAA seed Oklahoma to head to the championship series against Texas starting Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Texas is seeking redemption as they have been in the championship series three times since 2022, but have yet to capture the elusive title. Canady had taken Stanford to the World Series in 2023 and 2024, but transferring to Texas Tech and playing for Glasco has allowed her to get to the title series for the first time. There has never been an in-state championship series. The only time two teams from the same state have faced off for the national title were when Fresno State and UCLA (1982, 1988, 1989, 1990) and UCLA and Cal (2003) competed in what was a single game showdown. The first game of the series will take place on Wednesday, June 4 at 8 pm EST on ESPN, followed game two on Thursday, June 5 at 8 pm EST also on ESPN. The if necessary game is slated for Friday, June 6 at 8 pm EST on ESPN. Follow me on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Longhorns Softball pitcher Teagan Kavan is in the midst of a stellar playoff run in WCWS
Longhorns Softball pitcher Teagan Kavan is in the midst of a stellar playoff run in WCWS Teagan Kavan is having a remarkable playoff run During the Longhorns softball playoff run they have gotten contributions from many different places. However, few have been better than Teagan Kavan. The Iowa native has led the Longhorns pitching staff while frustrating hitters on a nightly basis. With her leading the way, Texas has been hard to stop. Through her first three games during the Women's College World Series, Kavan has posted a 0.53 ERA and struck out 12 batters. She has only allowed one earned run and has given the Longhorns a chance to win every time she takes the mound. While the talented Sophmore has made headlines, she has also built on her play in the regular season. In her second season as a Longhorn, Kavan set career high in appearances with 40 and strikeouts 224. Although she saw a massive increase in innings, the Longhorns righty was up to the challenge and took her game to a new level. That has continued in the playoffs. The Longhorns star will get to build on her success on Wednesday when Texas takes on Texas Tech. Again, She will be relied on heavily as Texas looks to set the tone in the first game of the series. With Kavan leading the way, Texas has a very good chance of pulling that off. With the Longhorns only a few wins from a title, Kavan is close to reaching a significant milestone. She has also helped make history, as this season marks the first time in program history that the Longhorns have played for a national championship in back-to-back seasons. Kavan has been a big part of the pitching staff both times. For the Longhorns, her dominant play has been a welcome sign when it is needed most. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
Associated Press
a day ago
- General
- Associated Press
Stewart homer, Morgan and Teagan Kavan pitching send Texas past Tennessee for spot in WCWS finals
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Katie Stewart hit a home run, Mac Morgan and Teagan Kavan combined on a 3-hitter, and Texas defeated Tennessee 2-0 on Monday to reach the Women's College World Series championship series for the third time in four years. Kavan, who threw a complete game with eight strikeouts in Saturday's 4-2 win over Oklahoma, came on in relief of Morgan in the fifth inning and didn't allow a hit the rest of the way. She struck out the Volunteers' Emma Clarke to end the game. Texas (54-11) will play either Oklahoma or Texas Tech in the best-of-three series, which starts Wednesday. Those teams square off in Monday night's other semifinal. Karlyn Pickens, a National Fastpitch Coaches Association first-team All-American, allowed just one earned run on five hits and struck out nine for Tennessee (47-17). Texas loaded the bases against Pickens in the third with one out but couldn't score. Reese Atwood struck out swinging and Joley Mitchell popped out to the catcher to end the inning. Things got heated in the top of the fourth when Tennessee hitting coach Craig Snider, the former Texas Tech head coach, appeared to have words with the Texas dugout and was ejected. Stewart homered off Pickens to start the fourth, a high drive to left that drifted beyond the outstretched glove of Alannah Leach. Pickens recovered quickly, striking out the next three batters she faced. Morgan got the win, striking out four and walking one. The Longhorns added an insurance run the sixth on a throwing error by Vols third baseman Taylor Pannell. ___ AP sports:
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Texas shuts out Tennessee to reach Women's College World Series finals; Texas Tech-Oklahoma next
OKLAHOMA CITY — Katie Stewart blasted a home run to lead off the fourth inning, giving No. 6 Texas a one-run lead on No. 7 Tennessee. Turns out, that's all the Longhorns needed. Texas' pitching thwarted Tennessee on Monday at Devon Park, with Mac Morgan and Teagan Kavan combining to throw a three-hit shutout in a 2-0 win that sent Texas to the Women's College World Series finals for the third time in four years. TEXAS TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 🔥#WCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @TexasSoftball — NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 2, 2025 Morgan pitched the first four innings, tying her season high in strikeouts (four) while forcing six groundouts — a point of emphasis for her, she said postgame. Kavan, the team's sophomore ace, iced the game in relief, striking out three and allowing no hits in three innings. 'I'm telling myself just to get the ground balls, like I did,' Morgan told ESPN postgame. Advertisement Sophomore ace Teagan Kavan came out of the bullpen for Texas. She threw three strikeouts and allowed no hits in three innings, icing the game after Mac Morgan set up the team for success in the first four innings. The Longhorns (54-11), who lost in the championship series in 2022 and 2024, improved to 3-0 in Oklahoma City. They await the winner of the series between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 12 Texas Tech. The Sooners, who have won four consecutive national championships, need two wins against the Red Raiders to advance to the championship series. Texas Tech, in its first trip to the WCWS, is looking for its first national championship, and needs only one win to eliminate Oklahoma. Texas Tech and Oklahoma meet Monday at 7 p.m. ET, with a second game scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET if OU wins the first. This story will be updated.
