Texas Claims First National Championship with 10-4 Victory Over Texas Tech
Texas has finally reached the pinnacle of collegiate softball.
Mia Scott's grand slam and Teagan Kavan's stellar performance propelled Texas to a 10-4 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Friday night, marking the Longhorns' first national title.
Having faced Oklahoma in the championship series two times in the last three years, Texas overcame the odds this time, defeating the Sooners on their path to glory. Coach Mike White celebrated his first championship win after nine trips to the World Series, spanning his coaching career at both Oregon and Texas.
"I'm still trying to process the whole thing," White remarked. "Actually, it's something you dream about."
Kavan, a sophomore pitcher, showcased her dominance throughout the tournament, allowing no earned runs in 31 2/3 innings pitched. She finished with a perfect 4-0 record and a save, earning the title of Most Outstanding Player.
Expressing gratitude for her coach, Kavan stated, "Without coach White, I don't know if we're here. He's the best. He's so competitive. He wants it just as bad as we do, of course. And he pushes us to be better every day. He makes me a better pitcher mentally and physically. And so there's no one else I'd rather play for. He's the bomb, and I'm glad we got it done for him."
In addition to Scott's grand slam, Leighann Goode contributed a three-run homer, while Kayden Henry recorded three hits. Scott, Reese Atwood, and Katie Stewart each added two hits to the Longhorns' impressive offensive display.
On the other side, Texas Tech's star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who had been a workhorse for the Red Raiders throughout the tournament, was pulled after just one inning in Game 3. The two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year struggled, giving up five runs on five hits in only 25 pitches. This loss followed her signing an NIL deal worth over $1 million for the second consecutive year.
Even with support from former Texas Tech football star Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany in attendance, the Red Raiders could not find their footing against Texas (56-12).
Canady began strong, striking out the first batter she faced, but quickly faltered. Goode's homer in the first inning set the tone for a commanding 5-0 lead for the Longhorns.
Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco acknowledged Canady's contributions throughout the season but admitted he may have pushed her too hard. "If I had a game in two days, that's who I want beside me to go to war with," he said. "She's an unbelievable talent."
Scott's fourth-inning blast extended Texas' lead to 10-0, solidifying their dominance.
Hailey Toney emerged as a bright spot for Texas Tech, driving in two runs with a single in the fifth inning and adding another run in the seventh.
This season was unexpected for the Red Raiders. Glasco transitioned from Louisiana to Texas Tech, inheriting a team with only three returning players and a mix of newcomers. They clinched both the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and made their first-ever World Series appearance.
"To end up in this position, playing for the national title, making it go all the way to three games -- just a historic season, and I'm really proud of my team and the effort that they give us from top to bottom," Glasco reflected.
