The Texas Longhorns made history by winning their first women’s softball national championship, beating Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series.
In the first inning, Texas Tech’s pitcher, NiJaree Canady, struggled against the Longhorns, giving up four quick singles. This set Texas up with an early 2-0 lead. Canady managed to get one out, but Leighann Goode then launched a three-run home run, putting Texas ahead 5-0.
By the second inning, Texas Tech switched pitchers. Chloe Riassetto took the mound but faced challenges as Reese Atwood and Katie Stewart hit back-to-back doubles, adding another run to make it 6-0.
The Longhorns extended their lead in the fourth inning. They started strong with three players reaching base. Mia Scott then hit a grand slam, bringing the score to 10-0.
With the Texas Tech team facing a mercy rule—where a game ends if one team leads by eight runs after five innings—they fought back in the fifth inning. They scored three runs, narrowing the gap. Hailey Toney hit a two-run single, giving them a bit of hope and keeping the game alive.
Even as Texas had chances for a walk-off win later, Texas Tech’s Lincoln pitched well enough to hold them off momentarily. However, they ultimately couldn’t close the gap, and Lauren Allred’s final groundout sealed the Longhorns’ victory.
Toney stood out for the Red Raiders, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Davis added two more hits. Despite their efforts, Canady and Riassetto allowed five runs each, making it tough to stage a comeback.
On the winning side, Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan impressed, allowing only four runs and earning the title of most outstanding player of the series. Henry also shined, going 3-for-4.
This championship marks a significant milestone for the Longhorns. It’s the first time they’ve reached the finals in four years and broke a streak of tough losses against powerful teams like Oklahoma. With head coach Mike White at the helm, Texas has shown remarkable growth and determination in recent seasons.
The Longhorns finished the season with a strong record of 56-12, a reflection of their hard work and resilience. This victory not only changes their program’s history but also highlights the growing competitiveness in women’s college softball today.
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Texas Tech, Texas Longhorns, Women's College World Series, ESPN, Texas, NCAA Softball, Katie Stewart, scoreless inning, NiJaree Canady, Mia Scott