The Texas Longhorns showcased their prowess in the Women’s College World Series championship round by defeating Texas Tech 7-3 in Game 1 on Wednesday night. The victory places the Longhorns, who are the No. 2 seed with a 52-12 record, in a strong position to clinch their second consecutive national championship with a win in Game 2 on Thursday night.
Game Highlights
Teagan Kavan delivered an impressive performance on the mound, pitching a complete-game three-hitter. Kavan, who was the most outstanding player in the Longhorns’ 2025 championship run, finished with six strikeouts, two walks, and a hit batter, further solidifying her reputation as a key player for Texas.
Offensively, Katie Stewart continued her remarkable streak by hitting her fourth home run in as many games. Her two-run homer in the first inning gave Texas a 2-1 lead, following Texas Tech’s initial lead from a solo home run by Mihyia Davis. Stewart’s home run was her seventh career home run in the World Series, underscoring her critical role in the team’s success.
The Longhorns extended their lead with a run-scoring infield single by Kaiah Altmeyer and a two-run triple by Ashton Maloney, bringing the score to 5-1 by the end of the first inning. Although Texas Tech’s Mia Williams hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning, Kavan’s strong pitching kept the Red Raiders at bay.
Looking Ahead
Texas Tech, the eleventh seed with a 61-9 record, will look to bounce back in Game 2. Coach Gerry Glasco is expected to start NiJaree Canady, the two-time national pitcher of the year, who was briefly brought in during Game 1. The Longhorns previously defeated Texas Tech in three games during the 2025 championship round, making this the first championship rematch since UCLA and California faced off in 2003 and 2004.
The anticipation for Game 2 is high, as Texas aims to secure another national title and Texas Tech seeks to even the series. Fans of both teams are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this intense rivalry.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
