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Texas Tech vs. Texas final score, result: Longhorns take wild Game 1 after failed intentional walk from NiJaree Canady

Contributor
David Suggs
Texas Tech vs. Texas final score, result: Longhorns take wild Game 1 after failed intentional walk from NiJaree Canady image

Pitching marvels were adorned in starlight during Texas and Texas Tech's duel in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series final.

Teagan Kavan and NiJaree Canady were more artists than arbalests on Wednesday night, painting the black time and time again for their respective sides. In the end, Kavan got the better of her adversary, propelling the Longhorns to a 2-1 win at Devon Park.

Canady is a household name in softball circles, coming to prominence for a splendid screwball, cratering changeup, and a price tag like few others. Her million-dollar arm was on display throughout Wednesday's contest, as the First-Team All-American whiffed seven batters while surrendering just four hits against Texas' vaunted lineup.

One of those hits proved rather costly, though. With two outs and runners on second and third in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Red Raiders called on Canady to intentionally walk the Longhorns' best hitter, Reese Atwood.

Canady obliged, delivering a trio of balls towards the slugger. But on her final attempt, she caught too much of the plate, prompting Atwood to whip out her hulking lumber. Her subsequent effort skipped into left field, sending two runners around and giving Texas a 2-1 lead.

That was all the advantage Kavan needed. The standout sophomore was equal to her big-name foe, slipping pellets beyond Texas Tech's detection en route to another complete-game masterpiece. Kavan did surrender a run, but it was unearned, coming from a contentious error in the fifth inning. All told, Kavan's final line told the tale of her display: seven innings, three hits allowed, and three strikeouts. 

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The Sporting News tracked live updates from Wednesday's matchup between Texas Tech and Texas in the 2025 Women's College World Series. Below are highlights, live results, and more as Texas moved one win closer to a WCWS title.

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Texas Tech vs. Texas softball live score

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Texas Tech vs. Texas live updates, highlights from Women's College World Series

(All times ET.)

Seventh inning

10:15 p.m.: Kavan coaxes the pop out as Texas nabs Game 1, 2-1! What a performance!

10:08 p.m.: Kavan quickly records two outs, the last of which comes via punch out. Freshman Bailey Lindemuth steps to the plate with two outs and a chance to tie the game up at 2.

10:05 p.m.: Johnson creeps into first after a Goode hiccups an unruly grounder at short.

Sixth inning

9:58 p.m.: Atwood makes the play! After Canady attempted to intentionally walk her, she rips a single past short and into the outfield. Two runners score as Texas takes the lead!

Texas 2, Texas Tech 1

9:57 p.m.: Scott gets on after blooping a single in front of second base. Two ducks on the pond for Atwood.

9:54 p.m.: The Longhorns are looking to find life after sulking to the dugout via two Canady strikeouts. Henry got onto first with an inch-perfect single. She then took second with a steal.

Fifth inning

9:35 p.m.: Victoria Hunter nearly knots the game up at 1, ripping an errant Canady over the left field fence. There was just one problem: it curled around the wrong side of the foul pole. Hunter summarily flicked a fly ball to short, ending the threat — and the inning. 

9:28 p.m.: That obstruction call will loom large now! Texas Tech takes the lead after Mihyia Davis fends off an inside rise-ball to drop it into the outfield and score Halleman. For a reminder, the inning would've ended had the umpires not reversed Halleman's out on the steal.

Texas Tech 1, Texas 0

9:24 p.m.: Halleman's out is overturned after replay review. Goode, the covering shortstop, was deemed to have obstructed Halleman as she attempted to stride into second. Atwood's throw beat her by a mile and appeared to lead Goode into Halleman — a legal move, per the NCAA's rulebook. Zoinks...

9:21 p.m.: Halleman's tenure on the bag was short-lived. Atwood looked to have sent her packing with a furious throw from home. What a defensive showing by Atwood, who has made her presence felt with the pallor orb in her grasp.

9:19 p.m.: Logan Halleman takes to first after Kaydee Bennett misplays her fiery rip to second base. In a game bereft of scoring chances, a miscue like that could prove costly. Let's see if Gerry Glasco's side can take advantage.

Fourth inning

9:12 p.m.: Canady returns the favor, dispatching of Joley Mitchell with a 73 mph scorcher. She's got four strikeouts tonight. It's hard to imagine she'll record one as eye-catching as her latest.

9:08 p.m.: Kavan continues to produce wonder from her lively right arm. She disposed of Canady, Langeliers and Alana Johnson with ease, retiring Canady with a strikeout. It's a battle of titans on the mound thus far. Which gifted twirler will blink first?

Third inning

8:58 p.m.: Canady snatches another weak grounder to bring the period to a screeching halt. She's looking as good as advertised through three innings.

8:56 p.m.: The Longhorns finally got to Canady somewhat, as Ashton Maloney whistled a twirler past their base and into the outfield. Can they make something happen with two outs?

8:49 p.m.: Kavan has found solid success pitching into contact. Her approach came up trumps once more in the third, as she sets the Red Raiders aside after surrendering a one-out walk.

Second inning

8:37 p.m.: Even Canady's fielding is smooth. She snagged a fiery effort from Leighann Goode to bring the frame to an end. Runs are proving hard to come by so far.

8:35 p.m.: Kavan's return to the bump proved far more tranquil than her first time around. Three-up, three-down for the standout sophomore.

First inning

8:25 p.m.: Canady produces three outs in quick succession, one of which comes from her patented screwball. The Red Raiders will return back to the batter's box in a jiffy.

8:20 p.m.: Canady brings her sub-1.00 ERA to the table as she faces off against Texas' explosive offense. Here we go...

8:15 p.m.: Kavan gets out the inning unscathed! Alexa Langeliers grounds out to her, ending the frame without a score.

8:14 p.m.: Canady fires a dribbler into Mia Scott's grasp. The Longhorns third baseman proceeded to turn a double play, firing into Reese Atwood, who then whipped a scorcher to first to throw out Canady at first. The game remains scoreless at zero.

8:10 p.m.: Texas Tech has started its contest with a flurry, swiftly getting three batter on to load the bases. And who steps up to the plate? NiJaree Canady, the Red Raiders' ace — who also happened to post a 1.100 OPS.

8:00 p.m.: Teagan Kavan strides to the mound to start Wednesday's contest. The All-American has been on another level throughout tournament play so far, recording back-to-back complete games before finishing off Tennessee with 3.2 inning of relief pitching on Monday. Can she keep the good times going against the Red Raiders?

How to watch Texas Tech vs. Texas softball

  • Start time: 8 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

The match between Texas Tech and Texas will air on ESPN. First pitch will take place at 8 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Alternate broadcasts can be found on Fubo and ESPN+, the former of which runs a free trial.

MORE: How Texas hurler Teagan Kavan is connected to Caitlin Clark 

Women's College World Series schedule 2025

Championship finals

Wednesday, June 4

GameMatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Game 15Texas vs. Texas Tech8 p.m.ESPN

Thursday, June 5

GameMatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Game 16Texas vs. Texas Tech8 p.m.ESPN

Friday, June 6

GameMatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Game 17*Texas vs. Texas Tech8 p.m.ESPN

*if necessary