Texas Tech Softball Surges Into National Spotlight After Thrilling Walk-Off Victory

Texas Tech Softball Chasing First NCAA Title in WCWS Finals H2: Red Raiders Ride NiJaree Canady’s Arm Into Game 1 The Red Raiders opened the best-of-three Women’s College World Series championship series Wednesday night against in-state rival Texas, leaning once again on sophomore ace NiJaree Canady’s nation-leading 0.70 ERA. Canady fanned nine Longhorns through six innings before handing a 3-1 lead to the bullpen in front of a sold-out crowd at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. H2: Mihyia Davis Ignites Offense Freshman center-fielder Mihyia Davis, the Big 12 stolen-base leader, manufactured the game’s first run with a leadoff slap single and her 48th swipe of the season, then scored on Lauren Allred’s opposite-field double. Allred later added a two-run homer to give Texas Tech the cushion it needed. H2: Patrick Mahomes Delivers Championship Send-Off Texas Tech legend and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes surprised the team Tuesday with custom Beats headphones and a video pep talk before they left for Oklahoma City, telling the players, “Bring a trophy back to Lubbock”. Head coach Craig Snider called the gesture “pure West Texas energy” that loosened the locker room. H2: How to Watch Game 2 • Date: Thursday, June 5 • First pitch: 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT • TV: ESPN2 • Streaming: ESPN+ and the ESPN app H2: What’s at Stake Texas Tech is appearing in the WCWS finals for the first time in program history; Texas is back for the second straight year. A Red Raider sweep would cap Snider’s three-year turnaround from a 23-27 record in 2023 to a 55-10 mark this season. H3: Key Storylines to Watch • Can Canady maintain her dominance on short rest if a Game 3 is necessary? • Texas speedster Leighann Goode vs. catcher Brenlee Gonzales’ 46% caught-stealing rate. • Longhorn freshman Teagan Kavan’s rise—will the moment be too big against Tech’s veteran lineup? H2: Fast Facts • Texas Tech leads all Power 5 teams with 98 home runs. • The Red Raiders are 17-3 in one-run games. • Game 1 winners have gone on to claim 73% of WCWS titles. Texas Tech faithful believe this is the year the Red Raiders join softball’s elite. With Mahomes’ mojo, Canady’s heater and Davis’ electrifying speed, destiny may finally be calling in Lubbock.