Texas Tech’s record-setting softball season ended one win shy again as Texas rallied late to claim a second straight WCWS title.
Texas Tech softball had the national championship within sight Thursday night, then watched Texas rip it away.
The No. 11 Red Raiders fell 4-1 to No. 2 Texas in Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series Finals at Devon Park, finishing as national runner-up for the second straight season.
Texas Tech ended the year 61-10 after setting program records in wins, hits, runs, doubles and home runs, but Texas claimed back-to-back national titles.
Tech led 1-0 through four innings behind NiJaree Canady, who looked ready to drag the Red Raiders to a winner-take-all Game 3.
Mihyia Davis singled, stole second and scored on Lauren Allred’s RBI single in the third.
Then the fifth inning cracked the game open.
Texas scored twice on a Red Raider error to take a 2-1 lead, then added insurance in the seventh on Kayden Henry’s solo homer and Leighann Goode’s RBI single.
Teagan Kavan, the WCWS Most Valuable Player, slammed the door with five strikeouts over two perfect innings.
“For my team, I want to say I couldn't be prouder of this team,” Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco said.
“You always want to win one more, and you want to win the championship, and you want to see the career of NiJa Canady end with a championship.”
Glasco said Tech had the moment it wanted, but couldn’t finish it.
“I thought we just come up short tonight,” Glasco said. “I thought we had it right where we wanted… Then give Texas credit. They kept attacking.”
Canady took the loss, allowing two earned runs on eight hits. Davis finished as the NCAA hits leader with 102, while Canady, Davis, Kaitlyn Terry and Mia Williams made the WCWS All-Tournament Team.
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