Texas has won a second consecutive Women’s College World Series national championship. This year, Texas Tech could not force a decisive Game 3, losing 2-1 on Thursday night at Devon Park.
The Longhorns have won two WCWS national titles in a row, advancing to the championship series in four of the past five seasons under head coach Mike White. The second national title comes after Texas finished fourth in the SEC during the regular season and lost their WCWS opener to Tennessee.
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History was on Texas’ side after winning Game 1 on Wednesday. The winner of Game 1 has gone on to win the WCWS 80% of the time. But with NiJaree Canady on the mound and a record of 4-0 in elimination games during the WCWS (in addition to not losing back-to-back games during the postseason), Texas Tech looked to have an excellent chance of forcing a decisive Game 3.
The Red Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the third inning with the speedy Mihyia Davis scoring on an infield single from Lauren Allred. Star pitcher Canady was in control and ready to finish a scoreless fifth inning to keep Texas Tech on top.
But a groundball by the Longhorns’ Viviana Martinez was fielded by Texas Tech shortstop Hailey Toney and her throw to third base sailed wide to the left. That allowed two runs to score, putting Texas ahead 2-1.
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Canady couldn’t stop the Longhorns from adding to their lead in the top of the seventh, giving up a home run to Kayden Henry and an RBI single to Leighann Goode.
In her final game for the Red Raiders, Canady finished with four runs allowed (two earned) and eight hits in seven innings, adding three walks and three strikeouts. She allowed only one hit through her first three innings and kept Texas off the scoreboard through four innings.
Teagan Kavan closes out a second straight WCWS title, second MOP award in a row
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan, who entered the game in the sixth, already looked unhittable with a one-run lead. With a three-run cushion in the seventh, she was unbeatable, retiring the Red Raiders in order to close out the Longhorns’ second straight title win.
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Kavan was named the WCWS Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row. She pitched 33 1/3 innings in the WCWS, allowing seven runs with 30 strikeouts.
Oh, and Kavan has one more season of eligibility remaining.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports’ live updates during the Texas Longhorns’ Game 2 victory and a second straight Women’s College World Series title.
Live coverage is over51 updatesThu, June 4, 2026 at 6:26 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
FINAL: No. 2 Texas 4, No. 11 Texas Tech 1
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:31 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Texas has won a second consecutive Women’s College World Series national championship. This year, Texas Tech could not force a decisive Game 3, losing 2-1 on Thursday night at Devon Park.
With a three-run cushion in the seventh, Teagan Kavan was unbeatable, retiring the Red Raiders in order to close out the Longhorns’ second straight title win. For the second year in a row, Kavan was named the WCWS Most Outstanding Player.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:22 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
I voted Teagan Kavan MOP a couple of innings ago when our ballots were due. That five-strikeout performance to seal a repeat championship is an incredible performance for a player writing an all-time legendary WCWS story. She has one more year of eligibility.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:21 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:20 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Another K for Kavan. One more out to finish off.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:19 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
It’s a 6-3 to start the inning, and the first non-K of Kavan’s night. She struck out the side in the sixth.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:14 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
The Longhorns add to their lead with Leighann Goode hitting a line drive to right field that Lauren Allred can’t get to. That scores pinch-runner Alisa Sneed for a 4-1 Texas lead.
There is still only one out in the top of the seventh.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:13 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Other than the semifinal complete game the other day, NiJaree Canady hasn’t had the best season. She just didn’t have her best stuff, and Texas Tech needed that from her to get this done. They brought Kaitlyn Terry in to be a pressure valve … Canady never had enough pressure rolling through the pipe.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:11 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
The wheels have come all the way off and into the ditch for Texas Tech.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:07 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Texas gets a crucial additional run in the top of the seventh with a Kayden Henry leadoff home run off NiJaree Canady.
The Longhorns now lead 3-1.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:06 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Welp, Halleman can’t get to it if it’s in the bleachers.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:05 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Teagan Kavan put Hailey Toney into a deep freeze I haven’t seen since a stretch of negative-temp days in January.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
What a weapon for Texas coach Mike White to bring in with Teagan Kavan. She strikes out the side in the bottom of the sixth to hold the Longhorns’ 2-1 lead.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:57 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Teagan Kavan has taken the circle for the Longhorns in the bottom of the sixth inning.
This is her seventh appearance of the Women’s College World Series. She’s allowed one earned run in 17 innings of relief.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:57 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Teagan Kavan is in the circle for the sixth. What an incredible atmosphere here at Devon Park in what could be the final innings of the 2026 Women’s College World Series. Fans turned their phone lights on in the dusk. “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley played as the winner of the fan vote.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:55 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Logan Halleman makes another great catch in left field for Texas Tech, running back toward the wall to snare a line drive from Kaiah Altmeyer.
She saved another run for the Red Raiders. Had that ball landed in the gap or hit the wall, Hannah Wells almost certainly would have scored another run for Texas.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Tech’s Logan Halleman is playing a heck of a game in left field. She robs Altmeyer near the wall, forcing Wells to retreat to first. That could have been a major boost for Texas. Instead, Tech is out of the inning unscathed. It’s far from over.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Citlaly Gutierrez, my apologies, I did not know your game. Mike White praised her quite a few times this week, telling reporters that she’s had great outings recently. Her work in the circle is massive against one of the highest powered offenses in Oklahoma City.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:46 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Citlaly Gutierrez makes Texas’ 2-1 lead stand up, retiring Texas Tech in order during the bottom of the fifth inning.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM PDT
Ian Casselberry
Just as it looked like Texas Tech might get out of the fifth inning with no runs allowed, Texas scores two runs to take the lead.
Viviana Martinez hit a ground ball to shortstop, but Hailey Toney threw the ball wide of Taylor Pannell at third base. Ashton Maloney and Jaycie Nichols score on the error to put Texas ahead.
And as Cassandra Negley just posted, Teagan Kavan just went to the bullpen to warm up for the Longhorns.
Thu, June 4, 2026 at 6:35 PM PDT
Cassandra Negley
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan is running out to the bullpen. Exactly what Mike White wanted: a lead, put in his All-American ace to close it. Will she come in for the fifth? Kavan can cement an incredible WCWS legacy here and she’s still a junior.