Updated Fri, June 5, 2026 at 2:42 AM UTC
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NCAA Texas Texas Tech Softball
Texas’ Jaycie Nichols celebrates after scoring during the second game of the NCAA Women’s College World Series softball finals against Texas Tech in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
(AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Teagan Kavan struck out five in the final two innings to back a strong start from Citlaly Gutierrez, and Kayden Henry homered to lead Texas to a 4-1 victory over Texas Tech on Thursday night at the Women’s College World Series for a second straight national championship.
Texas trailed 1-0 after four innings, but a bases-loaded throwing error by shortstop Hailey Toney allowed two unearned runs to score in the fifth for a 2-1 lead.
Henry homered off Red Raiders ace NiJaree Canady — in her final collegiate game — to begin the seventh and Leighann Goode singled to drive in the final run.
Gutierrez (11-3) allowed one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Kavan notched her fifth save.
Canady (29-7) went the distance and allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits with three walks.
Lauren Allred had an RBI single in the third to put Texas Tech up 1-0.
Coach Mike White led Texas to the school’s second title in his eighth season.
Second-year coach Gerry Glasgo has led the Red Raiders to their only two WCWS appearances. Texas Tech fell 7-3 in the opener.
Texas won the rubber game of the three-game series against Texas Tech last season to claim its first title.
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AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports