Texas vs. Texas Tech: All-Lone Star State Finals Set to Crown New Champion

For the first time in Women’s College World Series history, two teams from the same state will battle for the national championship when No. 6 Texas faces No. 12 Texas Tech beginning Wednesday at Devon Park.

The all-Texas finals guarantees the Lone Star State its first softball national title since 1983 when Texas A&M won. Texas Tech ended Oklahoma’s unprecedented four-year championship run on Monday, makring college softball’s changing landscape.

Texas Tech’s Million-Dollar Gamble Pays Off

Texas Tech’s journey to the finals validates the program’s historic $1,050,024 investment in Stanford transfer NiJaree Canady. The junior pitcher dominated Monday’s 7-0 semifinal victory over Oklahoma, striking out 12 batters while allowing just three hits.

Canady, college softball’s highest-paid player, finished the season with a microscopic 0.90 ERA and 304 strikeouts in 226 innings. Her presence transformed a program that had never reached the College World Series into championship contenders in one season.

“She’s delivered on every promise we made when we recruited her,” Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco said after Monday’s victory. “This is what we envisioned when we made that investment.”

Texas seeks redemption after 2024 runner-up finish

The Longhorns return to the championship series for the second consecutive year after defeating Tennessee 2-0 in Monday’s other semifinal. Junior pitcher Teagan Kavan threw a complete-game shutout, scattering five hits while striking out eight.

Texas carries a 54-11 record into the series, powered by an offense that ranks among the nation’s best. Catcher Reese Atwood leads the team with 21 home runs and 86 RBIs, while utility player Mia Scott has emerged as a catalyst with her .438 batting average.

The Longhorns fell to Oklahoma in last year’s finals, losing the decisive Game 3 after leading the series 2-1.

Regular season history favors Texas

The teams split their regular-season series in February, with Texas winning the opener 2-1 in nine innings before capturing the finale 11-0 in five innings. Both games occurred at Texas’ home field in Austin.

Texas Tech managed just three runs across both meetings, struggling against Longhorns pitching. However, the Red Raiders have transformed since adding key transfers and building chemistry around Canady’s dominance.

Pitching Matchups Define Series

The series showcases two of the nation’s premier pitchers in Canady and Kavan. Canady leads the country with a 0.90 ERA and has thrown 21 complete games this season. Kavan counters with a 2.33 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 192 innings.

Both teams feature deep bullpens, with Texas Tech’s Chloe Riassetto (2.17 ERA) and Texas’ Cambria Salmon (2.37 ERA) providing reliable secondary options.

Texas talent on full display

The finals underscore Texas high school softball’s dominance. Texas Tech’s roster includes 14 players from the state, while Texas features 12 Lone Star State products.

Atascocita High School alone contributed three players to the College World Series semifinals, with two advancing to the finals – Texas Tech’s Raegan Jennings and Texas’ Katie Cimusz.

Championship Schedule

• Game 1: Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN)
• Game 2: Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN)
• Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, June 6 at 7 p.m. CT (ESPN)

The best-of-three series marks Texas Tech’s first championship appearance and Texas’ third finals berth in four years. Oklahoma had won 61 consecutive NCAA tournament games before falling to Texas Tech on Monday.

Bottom Line

Texas enters as the favorite based on program history and regular-season dominance, but Texas Tech’s Cinderella run behind Canady’s brilliance has captured national attention. The Red Raiders proved Monday they can defeat anyone when their million-dollar pitcher takes the mound.

Either outcome crowns a new champion and validates the shifting power structure in college softball, where NIL investments and Texas talent have reshaped the sport’s elite tier.

All games at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. First pitch times are Central.