The Texas Longhorns secured their first-ever Women’s College World Series championship in dominant fashion, defeating Texas Tech 10-4 in the decisive Game 3.
The victory marked a historic moment for the program, as they claimed the national title after a thrilling and emphatic performance against their rivals.
Dominating the Red Raiders Early
Texas came out strong from the very beginning of the game. Despite facing NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech’s star pitcher who had been stellar throughout the tournament, the Longhorns wasted no time.
In the first inning, they exploded for five runs, chasing the junior right-hander out of the game early.
Canady, a two-time first-team All-American, allowed the most runs in an inning in her career, a shocking turn of events considering her reputation as one of the best pitchers in the sport.
The early surge was a defining moment, as it set the tone for the rest of the game. Canady had already made headlines earlier in the day, signing her second $1 million-plus NIL deal, which kept her at Texas Tech for her senior year. However, the overwhelming pressure from the Longhorns was too much for her to handle.
Mia Scott’s Grand Slam and Teagan Kavan’s Masterclass
After Katie Stewart added another run to extend the lead to 6-0 in the third inning, it was Mia Scott who took center stage. The senior third baseman crushed a grand slam in the fourth inning, putting Texas up by 10-0 and essentially sealing the game.
The historic moment wasn’t lost on Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and a Texas Tech alum. Mahomes, who was present at Devon Park in Oklahoma City cheering for his alma mater, took to social media to express his admiration for Scott’s performance.
While the Red Raiders refused to give up, showing the same heart and resilience that Mahomes often demonstrates on the field, their rally came too late. Texas Tech scored three runs in the fifth inning and added another in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the massive deficit.
Texas’ Teagan Kavan was brilliant in the circle, throwing a complete game, striking out three batters, and allowing eight hits. She finished the game by getting Lauren Allred to ground out, sealing the victory for the Longhorns.
Teagan Kavan Reflects on the Historic Win
For Kavan, throwing the final out and securing the victory meant the world. The sophomore pitcher spoke about the emotional significance of the win, especially after dedicating the victory to her grandmother, who had passed away.
Kavan told the ESPN broadcast, “I’m so happy for this team. We did it. First Natty. Let’s go! My grandma, the last thing she told my brother – one of the last things was to bring home a victory, and we did that for her.”
Mike White’s Emotional Reaction
Texas head coach Mike White expressed how surreal it felt to finally lift the championship trophy. After taking over the program in 2019, White and the Longhorns had come close to victory in the past, losing to Oklahoma in the championship series two of the previous three years. He said, “I can’t believe it’s happened.
For us to come out on top tonight – we’re so close to being knocked out. I am speechless to tell you the truth. It doesn’t happen very often. But I am so proud of our ladies.”
White also reflected on the importance of beating the best to become the best. With Oklahoma aiming for its fifth straight title, the Longhorns had already knocked them out earlier in the tournament. He praised Canady, calling her “tough and special,” while acknowledging that Texas had earned the title by overcoming some of the sport’s top talent.
The Texas Longhorns’ victory in the Women’s College World Series was a monumental achievement for the program. After years of coming close, they finally broke through, claiming their first national championship in softball.
With dominant performances from players like Mia Scott and Teagan Kavan, and a gutsy team effort, Texas proved they were ready to claim their place among the elite teams in college softball.
