Texas Earns First National Championship with Decisive Win Over Texas Tech in WCWS

In Oklahoma City, the Texas Longhorns broke new ground, capturing their first national title by defeating Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series. This monumental win on Friday night came after numerous near-misses and builds upon the team’s resilience developed over the years.

Mia Scott's grand slam set the tone for Texas, supporting a stellar performance from sophomore pitcher Teagan Kavan who was dominant throughout the series. Kavan, named Most Outstanding Player, was instrumental with her impeccable control, allowing no earned runs in a commanding 31 2/3 innings.

“I’m still trying to process the whole thing,” admitted coach Mike White, savoring his first championship triumph in his ninth World Series appearance across coaching tenures at both Oregon and Texas. White’s strategic vision and relentless pursuit of excellence paid off as his squad played in their inaugural year in the Southeastern Conference.

Leighann Goode also shined bright with a critical three-run homer, complementing contributions from Kayden Henry, who collected three hits, and Scott, Reese Atwood, and Katie Stewart each contributing two hits to secure the victory with authority.

For Texas Tech, the night was bittersweet. Their ace, NiJaree Canady, a renowned figure for her consistently formidable performances, found herself pulled after just an inning, having surrendered five runs on as many hits. Despite a setback in Game 3, Canady's season was illustrious enough to earn a lucrative NIL deal, underscoring her value and talent.

Even with support from notable figures like Patrick Mahomes in the stands, Texas Tech fell short. Coach Gerry Glasco, while disappointed, acknowledged the season's success as a collective victory and remarkable growth. "If I had a game in two days, that’s who I want beside me to go to war with," Glasco spoke highly of Canady's perseverance and skill.

The Red Raiders, though outmatched in the finale, showcased grit and were powered by Hailey Toney's spirited play, posting a couple of RBIs late in the game.

Looking back, this season was one for the books, with Tech making a historic push to the World Series, shaped by Glasco’s leadership and the cohesive unity of a largely new team roster. "To end up in this position, playing for the national title is a testament to my team’s effort and spirit," Glasco reflected on this transformative journey.