Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Texas women beat Texas Tech 4-1 to claim back-to-back NCAA softball championships

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.

Kavan earned the most outstanding player award after becoming the first pitcher with two shutouts and two saves in one WCWS.

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.

Texas Tech jumped in front in the third on an RBI single by Lauren Allred.

Canady retired 11 in a row after Henry singled to begin the game before disaster struck in the fifth.

Kaiah Altmeyer and Ashton Maloney led off with singles before Logan Halleman made a leaping catch in left field with one out to save at least one run. Canady walked slugger Katie Stewart to load the bases and appeared to escape the jam before Toney’s error.

Halleman also robbed Altmeyer of an extra-base with a runner on first in the sixth to keep it 2-1.

Gutierrez (11-3) allowed one run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Freshman Hannah Davis got two outs in the fifth before Gutierrez reentered with the bases loaded to get the final out.

Kavan fanned Mihyi Davis to wrap up her fifth save of the season.

Canady (29-7) went the distance and allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits with three walks.

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 series opener on Wednesday.

Texas won the rubber game of the three-game series against Texas Tech last season to claim its first title.

__

AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports

Texas women beat Texas Tech 4-1 to claim back-to-back NCAA softball championships | iNFOnews.ca
Texas’ Kayden Henry celebrates after hitting a home run 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)
Texas women beat Texas Tech 4-1 to claim back-to-back NCAA softball championships | iNFOnews.ca
Texas head coach Mike White celebrates after his team defeated Texas Tech to win the Women’s College World Series softball championship in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)
Texas women beat Texas Tech 4-1 to claim back-to-back NCAA softball championships | iNFOnews.ca
Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady throws during the second game of the NCAA Women’s College World Series softball finals against Texas in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.