If the first match of the 2025 Women's College World Series is any indication, we could be in store for a captivating next few weeks.
Texas and Florida danced atop the diamond-shaped playing surface, both sides hoping to impose their will upon their SEC adversary.
Both sides are littered with talent — the Longhorns house three All-Americans, including star hurler Teagan Kavan, while the Gators' lineup had six qualified hitters record an OPS above 1.000.
And yet, on Thursday, just one was able to find a rhythm.
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Texas emerged as victors in Game 1, propelled by star showings by Kavan and slugger Joley Mitchell.
Kavan was nigh on faultless, surrendering just two hits over seven innings on work. She rarely missed bats. But whenever Florida's hitters got wood on the ball, they tend to strike the orb weakly, dribbling it into the Texas' infield, instead.
Meanwhile, Mitchell brought firepower within her lumber, launching two middle-high pitches into the abyss.
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Thursday's match between the Longhorns and Gators. Below are the facts and figures from an enticing affair in Oklahoma City.
Texas vs. Florida softball live score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | F | |
| Texas | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Florida | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Texas vs. Florida live updates, highlights from Women's College World Series
All times ET.
Seventh inning
2:18 p.m.: Kavan shuts the door! What better way to round off the win than with a groundout! The Longhorns claim a Game 1 shutout, besting the Gators, 3-0.
2:10 p.m.: Florida gets out of the top half of the final inning unscathed. It has one more chance to bring itself back into this one.
Sixth inning
1:55 p.m.: Florida continues to huff and puff. But the Gators just can't find their at the plate, struggling to do much against the golden arm of Kavan. She's recorded just one strikeout thus far. But she's been an ace otherwise, surrendering just two hits through six. She (and her fielders) have the Longhorns on the cusp of a momentous Game 1 win.
Fifth inning
1:35 p.m.: The Longhorns triple their advantage off the back of a pair of dingers, one from Mitchell and another from Stewart.
the FIRST player in program history with a multi-home run game at the WCWS: @marie_joley 🤘#HookEm | 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/9xzArZeTYV
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 29, 2025
GOIN' THE OTHER WAY, @KatieStew2242 🤘#HookEm | 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/BMSscZb9G5
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 29, 2025
Texas 3, Florida 0
Fourth inning
1:20 p.m.: There were a few more fireworks in the fourth frame, with both sides getting ducks on the pond. But the scorecard remains unchanged; Rothrock and Kavan tiptoed their way out of the inning without surrendering a run.
Third inning
1:03 p.m.: The third ends with a whimper, with neither side able to plate a run. Perhaps we'll find an offensive flourish in the fourth.
Second inning
12:49 p.m.: After getting an early runner on via walk, the Gators' hopes for that all-important equalizer went up in smoke as Kavan collected three outs to end the frame, all of which came from coaxing weak contact. Onto the third we go...
12:38 p.m.: Stewart attempted to take second after Adayah Wallace struck out on a full count. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't able to outrun Erickson, who gunned her out with a precise throw to first. Florida returns to the plate in the hopes of leveling the score.
12:35 p.m.: Katie Stewart keeps the good times going after being plunked by Rothrock. She'll stride to first base.
12:32 p.m.: HOME RUN! Texas strikes first courtesy of Joley Mitchell, who rips a middle-in rise-ball over the left field porch. She caps off her effort with her patented "Hook 'Em Horns" hand gesture.
we see you, @marie_joley 👀#HookEm | 📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/p3gC6WGrv8
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 29, 2025
Texas 1, Florida 0
First inning
12:27 p.m.: Another pitch, another grounder back to Kavan. She scoops up the unruly effort and tosses it to first to get out of the frame unscathed.
12:26 p.m.: Walsh grounds out back to Kavan. Up steps Jocelyn Erickson, the 2024 SEC Player of the Year.
12:23 p.m.: Kavan coaxed Falby into an out to start the frame. But Shumaker showcased her impressive eye on the ensuing at-bat, drawing a walk. One on, one out for the Gators as Reagan Walsh steps to the plate.
12:19 p.m.: Atwood goes down on strikes. We head to the bottom half of the inning. All-American Kendra Falby leads things off for the Gators.
12:15 p.m.: Scott beats out Rothrock's errant throw to get on via infield hit. That sets the table for Atwood, one of the nation's most powerful hitters.
12:14 p.m.: Rothrock sets Henry aside with a delicate screwball on the outside corner. Mia Scott up next.
12:13 p.m.: Maloney grounds out to kick off the match. Kayden Henry up next in Texas' lineup.
12:12 p.m.: Ashton Maloney leading off today's duel for the Longhorns.
12:07 p.m.: Keagan Rothrock will be Florida's arbalest to start the game. She has 101 strikeouts to just 32 walks this season. The sophomore loves a rise-ball. She'll look to put forth a strong display after struggling to fend off Texas' attack this time last year.
12:05 p.m.: Teagan Kavan will take the ball for Texas today. The second-team All-American tallied two wins against Florida this season. She'll have to be at her best to quell Florida's dynamic bats in this one.
11:40 a.m.: This is quite the hype video from the Longhorns. They're still yet to secure a Women's College World Series title for themselves. But with two WCWS finals appearances in three years, Mike White's side certainly looks on the cusp of greatness.
all we got is all we need 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/2OGXz1dgXo
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) May 29, 2025
11:30 a.m.: Expect a battle of the titans in this matchup. Six Texas hitters posted an OPS above 1.000 in 2025, including first-team All-American Reese Atwood, whose 1.416 OPS represents one of the best marks in the league.
Florida, meanwhile, has three All-Americans of its own to call upon, including freshman outfielder Taylor Shumaker, who has 22 moonshots thus far.
11:00 a.m.: The Gators are streaming onto the diamond as they ready for today's clash with the Longhorns. Just one hour away from first pitch.
Here come the Gators 🐊 pic.twitter.com/02PBDzrhSd
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) May 29, 2025
How to watch Texas vs. Florida softball
The game between Texas and Florida is the first one of the tournament. First pitch from Oklahoma City is scheduled for noon ET. The game will air on ESPN and can be live-streamed on Fubo and ESPN+. Fubo carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is currently running a free trial.
Women's College World Series schedule 2025
Thursday, May 29
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | No. 3 Florida vs. No. 6 Texas | Noon | ESPN |
| 2 | No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Tennessee | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 3 | No. 12 Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 4 | No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 16 Oregon | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Friday, May 30
| Game | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Game 5 | Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 7 p.m. | TBA |
| Game 6 | Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. | TBA |