Texas Tech, Texas Softball Set for National Final Rematch

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The No. 11-ranked Texas Tech and No. 2 Texas softball teams will meet in the Women’s College World Series Finals for the second straight season, with Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Devon Park.

The Red Raiders (61-8) are seeking the first national championship in program history, while the defending champion Longhorns (51-12) return to the finals after winning the 2025 title in three games over Texas Tech.

Game 1 will be televised on ESPN.

“I’m super excited to be here, super privileged to be here,” Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco said on Tuesday at the WCWS Finals preview press conference. “Feel so blessed to have this team and these great young women in my back pocket and just carrying me towards the finish line. Beyond elated this morning to wake up and realize we get to play more ball. Just excited.”

The championship series follows a double-elimination format, with games scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and, if necessary, Friday. The first team to win two games will be crowned national champion.

Texas holds a 65-13 all-time series advantage dating back to 1997. The teams have not met during the 2026 season.

Texas Tech advanced to the finals after sweeping No. 1 Alabama on Monday, winning 5-4 on a walk-off home run by Mia Williams before securing a 2-0 victory behind a complete-game shutout from NiJaree Canady.

“I'm definitely feeling good,” Canady said. “The goal has always been to peak around this time, and I feel like we reached that goal. I'm just excited to get started.”

The Red Raiders have been powered by a high-scoring offense, leading the nation with 672 hits while ranking second in batting average (.377) and third in home runs (143). Williams leads the team with 26 home runs and 85 RBIs, while Mihyia Davis is hitting .478 in the WCWS with a team-high nine hits.

Canady (29-6) has earned all four of Texas Tech’s wins in Oklahoma City and enters the finals with 249 strikeouts and a 1.84 ERA. Kaitlyn Terry has added 172 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA this season.

Texas reached the finals after eliminating Tennessee with back-to-back wins on Monday. The Longhorns enter on a four-game winning streak and feature one of the nation’s top offenses, hitting .336 with 97 home runs.

Katie Stewart leads Texas with 30 home runs and 77 RBIs, while Kayden Henry tops the team with 82 hits and 76 runs scored. In the circle, Teagan Kavan (27-6) has 249 strikeouts this season.

“Texas is so talented all over the field,” Glasco said. “They’ve got speed, defense, pitching, and are well-coached.”