The Women’s College World Series national championship series is headed for a winner-take-all Game 3.
Canady struck out Kayden Henry to finish off the victory. She allowed two earned runs on six hits and collected six strikeouts in her complete game effort. Meanwhile, Texas did not use its ace Teagan Kavan until the sixth inning, after Citlaly Gutierrez found herself in a jam.
The Red Raiders scored their first run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Alana Johnson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The second run came across on a wild pitch. Mia Scott homered in the top of the sixth inning to bring the Longhorns back into the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Texas Tech added two insurance runs, which were all needed as Texas fought back at the end before ultimately coming up short.
The last WCWS Game 3 occurred in 2021, when Oklahoma stormed back after losing the opening game to Florida State to win the last two to win the national championship.
USA TODAY brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check it out.
Watch WCWS finals with ESPN+
Texas vs Texas Tech softball live score
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Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates
Final: Texas Tech 4, Texas 3
Texas Tech evens WCWS final series 1-1
NiJaree Canady strikes out Kayden Henry to end the ball game as Texas Tech squeaks out the 4-3 victory to force a Game 3 tomorrow night to determine the national champion.
Katie Cimusz drives in another Texas run
Katie Cimusz lines out to left field, but plates a run to make it 4-3. The Longhorns still have a runner in scoring position and one out, for the top of the order.
Leighann Goode double drives in run
Leighann Goode drives in a run on an RBI double and the Longhorns have runners on second and third with zero outs. It’s 4-2 Texas Tech.
Katie Cimusz is pinch hitting.
Texas sends tying run to plate
Texas is sending the tying run to the plate with zero outs following an error and hit by pitch to open the top of the seventh inning.
Leighann Goode is up to the plate with a chance to tie the game with a home run. She has nine home runs on the season.
End of sixth inning: Texas Tech 4, Texas 1
Mihyia Davis single pushes Texas Tech lead to three runs
Mihyia Davis singles to score Victoria Valdez from second base to extend the Texas Tech lead to 4-1. That’s the first run scored on a hit tonight for the Red Raiders.
Bailey Lindemuth extends Texas Tech lead
Bailey Lindemuth greets Teagan Kavan with a flyball to center field to score pinch runner Makayla Garcia from third base to extend the Texas Tech lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Teagan Kavan enters for Texas
Trying to keep it a one-run game going into the seventh inning, Mike White has elected to bring in ace Teagan Kavan with runners on the corners and one out.
Texas Tech threatening to pad lead
An error by Texas first baseman Joley Mitchell has runners on the corners and just one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Texas Tech is challenging for a potential obstruction at first base as Victoria Valdez ran into second baseman Kaydee Bennett after reaching first base. The call was upheld, no obstruction.
Citlaly Gutierrez in circle for Texas
Citlaly Gutierrez enters the circle for Texas in the bottom of the sixth inning. Texas may lose tonight, but will have a fresh Teagan Kavan tomorrow.
Texas Tech three outs away from tying WCWS finals
NiJaree Canady bounces back from the Mia Scott home run by striking out Reese Atwood for the second time tonight, and then gets Joley Mitchell to foul out to third base.
The Red Raiders are three outs away from trying the WCWS championship series 1-1, forcing a Game 3 on Friday.
Mia Scott homers to cut Texas Tech lead to 2-1
Mia Scott hits a one-out solo home run to get Texas a run back in the top of the sixth inning. That home run had an exit velocity of 80 mph. She’s the career World Series leader with four home runs.
End of fifth inning: Texas Tech 2, Texas 0
Texas Tech scores two in fifth inning
Texas Tech is six outs away from forcing a Game 3 following a two-run fifth inning. The Red Raiders loaded the bases with two outs and were able to plate two runs on a hit by pitch and a wild pitch.
Raegan Jennings led off the inning with a single, with Mihyia Davis adding a one-out double. Lauren Allred walked to load the bases with two outs. Alana Johnson drove in the first run when she was hit by a pitch on her thigh.
The Red Raiders scored their second run on a wild pitch from Camrbia Salmon on a changeup that got past catcher Reese Atwood.
Texas Tech scores second run on wild pitch
A wild pitch by Cambria Salmon gets by catcher Reese Atwood, and that scores the second run of the inning for the Red Raiders.
Alana Johnson hit by pitch scores first run
With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Alana Johnson is hit by a pitch to plate the first run of the game and give Texas Tech a 1-0 lead.
Teagan Kavan warming up for Texas
Teagan Kavan is warming up in the bullpen for Texas in the bottom of the fifth inning. She could be entering when the Red Raiders have the top of their order come to the plate.
NiJaree Canady records first 1-2-3 inning
NiJaree Canady records her first 1-2-3 inning of the evening in the top of the fifth inning. She picks up her fourth strikeout in the process.
Demi Elder recorded a diving catch to start the inning.
End of fourth inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0
1-2-3 fourth inning for Cambria Salmon
Cambria Salmon records a 1-2-3 fourth inning, as all three outs are recorded by second baseman Kaydee Bennett. The Red Raiders have just one hit since the first inning.
NiJaree Canady escapes fourth-inning jam
Sandwiched around a pair of strikeouts, Texas has a pair of singles to put runners on the corners with two outs. However, NiJaree Canady gets Victoria Hunter to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.
Canady had just one strikeout entering the inning. She now has three through four innings.
Mike White says Teagan Kavan ‘could’ pitch tonight
In an interview before the fourth inning with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Texas coach Mike White says Teagan Kavan could be available to pitch tonight. He also said the plan is currently for Cambria Salmon to follow the lead of Mac Morgan to pitch through the lineup once.
End of third inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0
Game 2 of WCWS finals is scoreless through 3 innings
We’re through three scoreless innings in Game 2 of the WCWS championship series. Freshman pitcher Cambria Salmon allows a leadoff single to Mihyia Davis, but then gets the next three hitters out to escape any threat.
Texas third baseman Mia Scott made a pair of key putouts in the inning. Her defense in the WCWS has been a major key for the Longhorns.
Cambria Salmon stats
Cambria Salmon has posted a 2.37 ERA in 59 innings in her freshman season. She has struck out 65 and walked 19 batters. Her last outing was May 23 vs. Clemson.
Cambria Salmon takes over for Mac Morgan
Freshman pitcher Cambria Salmon has taken over for Mac Morgan in the circle in the bottom of the third inning.
End of second inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0
Ashton Maloney records web gem catch to end Texas Tech second
Defense is taking over in the second inning of Game 2 of the WCWS finals. Texas right fielder Ashton Maloney makes a diving catch to rob Bailey Lindemuth of a potential hit to end the second inning.
Mac Morgan bounces back from a long first inning with a 1-2-3 second inning.
Texas Tech turns double play to end Texas second
NiJaree Canady walks Katie Stewart with one out on a full count, but bounces back to induce a groundball double play off the bat of Victoria Hunter to end the second inning.
NiJaree Canady makes highlight-reel catch
NiJaree Canady lays out for a diving catch on a bunt attempt by Texas catcher Joley Mitchell. That’s the first out of the top of the second inning as Canady dives to the first base side to make the grab.
End of first inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0
Mac Morgan escapes bases-loaded jam
Mac Morgan loads the bases with one out, but gets Alexa Langeliers to ground out to first base for a force out at home and then NiJaree Canady to shortstop to escape the jam.
That’s two straight days the Red Raiders load the bases in the first inning but cannot push across a run.
Texas Tech loads the bases in first inning
Texas Tech loads the bases with back-to-back singles and a four-pitch walk against Mac Morgan. The Red Raiders also loaded the bases in Game 1 in the first inning on Wednesday but did not score a run.
Alexa Langeliers is at the plate.
NiJaree Canady pitches scoreless first inning
Texas gets two hits in the inning, but a throw-out at second from catcher Victoria Valdez helps NiJaree Canady escape the first inning unscathed.
The Longhorns had just four hits in six innings off Canady on Wednesday.
Patrick Mahomes in attendance of Game 2 of WCWS finals
Texas challenges for obstruction
After Kayden Henry singles up the middle, she attempts to steal second base. She is thrown out by catcher Victoria Valdez. However, Texas challenges the call for a potential obstruction. The call is upheld and Henry is ruled out.
Game 2 of WCWS final underway
NiJaree Canady induces a ground out from Ashton Maloney on the second pitch to get Game 2 underway from the WCWS championship series.
Pregame
Mac Morgan vs Tennessee in WCWS semifinal, revisited
While Texas Tech hitters may be relieved to not see Teagan Kavan tonight, Mac Morgan won’t be an easy matchup either. Morgan limited Tennessee to three hits in four scoreless innings on Monday in the semifinals. She collected four strikeouts and walked just one batter.
NiJaree Canady stats
Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has posted a 33-6 record with a 0.94 ERA in 232 innings in 2025. She has struck out 311 hitters this season to just 44 walks.
Canady had seven strikeouts in six innings on Wednesday. She allowed two runs on four hits.
NiJaree Canady gets start for Texas Tech
NiJaree Canady is back in the circle for Texas Tech in the must-win Game 2 of the WCWS championship series. Canady’s one blemish, a misfire on an intentional walk 3-0 pitch to Reese Atwood, was the difference in Game 1.
If Canady can deliver like she has the rest of the postseason, the Red Raiders could be well-positioned to force a Game 3.
Texas Tech starting lineup for WCWS final Game 2
Here’s a look at the Red Raiders’ starting lineup for the win-or-go-home Game 2
- Mihyia Davis, CF
- Hailey Toney, SS
- Lauren Allred, 1B
- Alana Johnson, RF
- Alexa Langeliers, 2B
- NiJaree Canady, P
- Demi Elder, LF
- Victoria Valdez, C
- Bailey Lindemuth, 3B
- Brenlee Gonzales, DP
Mac Morgan starting pitcher for Texas
Texas is going with Mac Morgan over Teagan Kavan for Game 2 of the WCWS final. Morgan has a 3.23 ERA in 73 2/3 innings this season. Her last appearance was against Tennessee on June 2.
Mike White is likely saving Kavan for if the Longhorns get a lead to close out the championship. If Texas Tech gets ahead, he has a fresh ace for the winner-take-all Game 3.
Texas starting lineup for WCWS final Game 2
Here’s the Longhorns’ starting lineup for the second game of the WCWS final:
- Ashton Maloney, RF
- Kayden Henry, CF
- Mia Scott, 3B
- Reese Atwood, C
- Joley Mitchell, 1B
- Katie Stewart, LF
- Victoria Hunter, DP
- Leighann Goode, SS
- Kaydee Bennett
Starting pitcher: Mac Morgan
Texas Tech needs win to keep season alive
Texas is just one win away from winning its first national championship in program history, while Texas Tech needs to win today to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday. The Red Raiders are also looking for their first national championship.
First pitch is set for 8:50 p.m. for WCWS finals game 2
First pitch for Game 2 of the WCWS finals between Texas and Texas Tech is set for 8:50 p.m. ET. That means the game will start 50 minutes after the initial scheduled first pitch time.
Texas-Texas Tech enters weather delay
Game 2 of the Texas-Texas Tech matchup in the WCWS finals is delayed from its original first pitch time of 8 p.m. ET due to inclement weather in the Oklahoma City area. First pitch will be no earlier than 8:45 p.m. ET.
You can keep up here for live updates about the WCWS game.
What time does Texas vs Texas Tech softball start?
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Date: Thursday, June 5
- Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)
First pitch for Game 2 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 2 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 finals schedule
- Wednesday, June 4: No. 6 Texas 2, Texas Tech 1
- 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