Texas softball needed one swing of the bat to come away with a win in Game 1 of the national championship series against Texas Tech on Wednesday.
Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood came up to bat with runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Texas trailed 1-0. Texas Tech and ace pitcher NiJaree Canady opted to intentionally walk Atwood, however, Canady’s pitch in a 3-0 count got too much plate, and Atwood roped a single into left field to give Texas a 2-1 lead, which stood.
The pitch was a brutal mistake for the Red Raiders, as Canady was having no issues with Texas’ lineup until leaving a pitch meant to be out of the strike zone over the plate. Longhorns pitcher Teagan Kavan was also outstanding, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Atwood’s first hit at the 2025 WCWS came at a perfect time, and Texas moves one win away from its first national title in program history.
Here are the highlights from Texas’ 2-1 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday:
Texas vs Texas Tech softball highlights
Texas vs Texas Tech softball live score
This section will be updated
Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates
This section will be updated
Texas wins Game 1
Reese Atwood’s two-run single is enough to win it, as Teagan Kavan shuts the door in the top of the seventh to secure Texas’ 2-1 win.
Kavan goes seven innings, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Reese Atwood gives Texas 2-1 lead
Wow, Texas Tech opts to intentionally walk Texas’ best hitter in Reese Atwood with two outs and two runners on base, but Atwood swings anyway and drives in two runners on a single to left field.
What a swing from Atwood, who gives Texas a 2-1 lead. Texas’ social media account also threw some shade at the umpires in its post of Atwood’s swing.
Texas puts runners on 1st and 3rd base with 2 outs
Texas puts runners on first and third after Kayden Henry and Mia Scott hit back-to-back singles with two outs.
NiJaree Canady up to 5 strikeouts
NiJaree Canady is now through five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit on five strikeouts. She is dealing against the Longhorns.
Victoria Hunter nearly hits game-tying home run
Texas designated player Victoria Hunter blasts a pitch from NiJaree Canady over the left-field fence, but the ball narrowly falls left of the foul pole. That ball was crushed, but unfortunately for Texas was not in fair territory.
Texas Tech takes 1-0 lead
An obstruction and an error come back to haunt Texas, as Mihyia Davis bloops a single into shallow right field that scores Logan Halleman from second base.
Texas Tech leads 1-0 after the controversial call.
Texas Tech gets runner in scoring position
Logan Halleman reaches first base with one out after an infield error by Kaydee Bennett before Halleman then appears to get thrown out at second base by catcher Reese Atwood. Halleman got to stay at second, however, as the umpiring crew found there was obstruction on the tag attempt.
Texas Tech with a runner in scoring position with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.
3-up, 3-down for Canady
NiJaree Canady sets Texas down in order once again, raising her strikeout total to four on the night. Canady has been nails through four innings.
Bailey Lindemuth also made a nice play on a groundball in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Pitchers’ duel in full force
Teagan Kavan and NiJaree Canady have been sensational so far, as the game is still tied at 0-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Kavan has allowed two hits with two strikeouts and Canady has allowed one hit with three strikeouts.
One run for either team might be enough for a win at this rate.
ESPN broadcast honors Geri Ann Glasco
Former Georgia and Oregon softball player Geri Ann Glasco, the son of Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco, was coached by now-Texas coach Mike White with the Ducks. Geri Ann tragically died in a car accident in 2019, which was set to be her first year on Glasco’s staff at Louisiana.
Now, her former coach and dad are facing off for a national title.
Patrick Mahomes sends gift to Texas Tech softball
Three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes is giving back to his alma mater, as he sent a gift to Texas Tech softball that included a letterman jacket and Adidas shoes. Mahomes and the Red Raiders are both sponsored by the sports brand.
NiJaree Canady works around walk in 2nd inning
NiJaree Canady hits Katie Stewart with a pitch but forces three outs on balls in play to get out of the second inning. Canady has faced seven hitters through two innings.
Texas Tech also goes 1-2-3
No issues for Teagan Kavan to start the second inning, as she forces two groundouts and a flyout. Both pitchers for Texas and Texas Tech look good so far.
Texas goes 1-2-3 in 1st inning
NiJaree Canady gets a groundout and two strikeouts for an easy first inning, as she only needed 12 pitches.
Texas gets out of jam
Mia Scott fields a groundball and fires home, getting out the lead runner before NiJaree Canady is thrown out by the catcher at first base to complete the 5-2-3 double play.
Teagan Kavan then gets an inning-ending groundout, getting out of the early jam. Texas Tech squanders its opportunity.
Texas Tech with runners on first and third
Hailey Toney follows up with another single, putting runners on first and third base with no outs. Texas Tech with an early scoring chance in the top of the first inning.
Texas Tech with leadoff single
Nice start for Texas Tech, as leadoff Mihyia Davis swings at the first pitch and ropes a single into left field. We’re underway from Oklahoma City.
Texas-Texas Tech starting pitchers
As expected, Texas is starting Teagan Kavan and Texas Tech is starting NiJaree Canady in the circle. It’s a rematch from their regular season matchup that went nine innings and ended with a 2-1 Texas win.
Texas softball lineup
- RF Ashton Maloney
- CF Kayden Henry
- 3B Mia Scott
- C Reese Atwood
- 1B Joley Mitchell
- LF Katie Stewart
- SS Leighann Goode
- DP Victoria Hunter
- 2B Kaydee Bennett
Texas Tech softball lineup
- CF Mihyia Davis
- SS Hailey Toney
- 1B Lauren Allred
- P NiJaree Canady
- 2B Alexa Langeliers
- RF Alana Johnson
- LF Demi Elder
- C Victoria Valdez
- 3B Bailey Lindemuth
What time does Texas vs Texas Tech softball start?
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Date: Wednesday, June 4
- Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)
First pitch for Game 1 of the WCWS finals is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
What TV channel is Texas vs Texas Tech softball on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+
Game 1 of the national championship series between Texas and Texas Tech will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a cable login) and ESPN+, the latter of which serves as the network’s streaming service.
WCWS schedule
- Wednesday, June 4: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
- Thursday, June 5: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)
- Friday, June 6: Texas vs. Texas Tech | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+) *
* If necessary
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports’ newsletter.