OKLAHOMA CITY — At last, Texas has achieved a historic victory in collegiate sports.
Mia Scott’s grand slam and Teagan Kavan’s exceptional pitching led Texas to a 10-4 victory over Texas Tech in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series on Friday night, earning their first-ever national title.
In the two out of the last three championship series, Texas came up short against Oklahoma, a team they ultimately overcame to secure their championship this year. This triumph marks a significant achievement for Texas coach Mike White, who clinched a championship title after nine appearances at the World Series during his coaching career with both Oregon and Texas.
“I’m still trying to process the whole thing,” White stated. “It’s something you dream about.”
In a remarkable display of skill, sophomore Kavan allowed no earned runs over 31 2/3 innings in the World Series. She finished the series with a 4-0 record and a save, earning the Most Outstanding Player accolade.
Expressing her gratitude, Kavan acknowledged the profound impact Coach White has had on her and her team during the Longhorns’ inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference.
“Without coach White, I don’t know if we’re here,” she remarked. “He’s the best. He’s so competitive. He wants it just as bad as we do. He pushes us to be better every day, making me a better pitcher both mentally and physically. There’s no one else I’d rather play for. He’s the bomb, and I’m glad we got it done for him.”
Leighann Goode contributed with a three-run homer, Kayden Henry delivered three hits, while Mia Scott, Reese Atwood, and Katie Stewart each added two hits for a well-rounded Texas team performance, culminating in a 56-12 overall record.
On the opposing side, Texas Tech’s star pitcher NiJaree Canady faced challenges. Having thrown every pitch for Texas Tech in their journey through the World Series, she was pulled after the first inning of Game 3. The Pitcher of the Year awards recipient from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association gave up five runs on five hits over just 25 pitches, coinciding with her recent signing of a notable Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal worth over $1 million.
Even the presence of Texas Tech’s famous supporter, former football star Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany, could not provide the magic wand to propel the Red Raiders, who ended their season with a commendable 54-14 record.
Though Canady initially struck out the first batter, Goode quickly shifted the momentum with a first-inning homer, giving Texas a swift 5-0 lead. Texas Tech’s coach Gerry Glasco expressed his admiration for Canady’s dedication throughout the season, despite the unexpected outcome.
“If I had a game in two days, that’s who I want beside me to go to war with,” Glasco affirmed. “She’s an unbelievable talent.”
Scott further secured Texas’s lead with a powerful home run in the fourth inning, stretching their advantage to 10-0.
For Texas Tech, Hailey Toney shone brightly, driving in two runs in the fifth and another in the seventh, though the Red Raiders couldn’t mount a full comeback.
The Red Raiders, under the new direction of Coach Glasco, who joined from Louisiana, showcased unexpected strength. Despite starting the season with a mostly new team with only three returning players, they clinched the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the World Series for their first time.
“To end up in this position, playing for the national title, making it go all the way to three games — just a historic season, and I’m really proud of my team and the effort that they give us from top to bottom,” Glasco remarked with pride.