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Texas sweeps Texas Tech in WCWS finals, wins second consecutive softball national championship

By Jeff Howe

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Texas avoided an if-necessary third game of the Women’s College World Series finals against Texas Tech, following up Wednesday’s 7-3 win over the Red Raiders with Thursday’s 4-1 victory to clinch the Longhorns’ second consecutive national championship.

Texas (53-12) joined Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and UCLA as the fifth NCAA softball program to win back-to-back softball national titles with a two-game sweep of Texas Tech (61-10). Teagan Kavan, who was named WCWS Most Outstanding Player for the second year in a row, secured the final six outs of the game after Citlaly Gutierrez (4.1 innings) and Hannah Wells (0.2 innings) did their jobs in the circle to help the Longhorns overcome a one-run deficit.

Facing All-American pitcher NiJaree Canady and trailing, 1-0, Texas opened the fifth inning with back-to-back singles by Kaiah Altmeyer and Ashton Maloney. After Jaycie Nichols reached on a fielder’s choice and the Red Raiders intentionally walked Katie Stewart with the bases loaded, a Viviana Martinez ground ball to the left side of the infield turned into a two-run error, putting the Longhorns on top, 2-1.

On the heels of Kavan retiring Texas Tech in order in the bottom of the sixth, Kayden Henry led off the top of the seventh with an opposite-field home run, taking Canady deep to left. With one out and runners on first and second, right fielder Lauren Allred couldn’t come up with a diving catch of a sinking liner off the bat of Leighann Goode, resulting in an RBI single to put Texas up by three runs, 4-1.

Kavan retired each of the six Red Raiders she faced, recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.

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    All-Conference

    Steamboat Willie

    Supporters
    9 hours ago, Bobby Burton said:

    That and intentionally walking Stewart and putting the go ahead run on second. Not the smart move IMO. 

    To be fair, I would have walked Stewart every time she came to the plate. 

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    57 minutes ago, Ace Recruiter said:

    I dont blame her for taking the money. Especially in that sport, but what did she really do for the sport? Nothing in my opinion. She was dominant and surrounded by NIL mercenaries and got no trophies. Didn't even win the big 12. She lost in the semis twice at Stanford and in the finals twice at Tortilla Tech. 1 million to go one extra round surrounded by a hand picked and paid for roster? Congrats to her, her bank account and her individual trophy case, but IMHO, she did nothing for the sport other than being the face of NIL.

    She brought attention and viewers to women’s softball. All time tv rates for women’s softball. She a lot for women’s sports.

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    HookemTexas

    Supporters
    6 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

    She brought attention and viewers to women’s softball. All time tv rates for women’s softball. She a lot for women’s sports.

    I haven't heard anything that's extraordinary, she gets credit for being the highest paid player at the time.  Jordy Bahl Frahm likely took less money to go home to Nebraska and build that program (her home state) into a contender.  To me that's more worthy.  Karlyn Pickens was interviewed and said she was offered a ton more money (likely by Tech) but stayed at Tennessee because it means something to try to finish what you started.  Reese Atwood was contacted by Tech last year during the WCWS and said no thanks I'm staying at Texas.

    Teagan Kavan has interviewers pull in who she believes should be recognized that usually do not get the spotlight (Altemeier).

    Those types of actions have more impact imo.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    .45s

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    🤘🤘🍻🥎

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Tuco Ramirez

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    20 minutes ago, THookem said:

     

    I want to see an airplane flying this on a banner over Lubbock. 

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    UTexas

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    Impressive stat right here:

     

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    HookemTexas

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    Kavan is getting all the accolades and rightfully so, but I also have to give props to Citlaly Gutierrez.  I myself have been critical of her and didn't think she was a legit #2, but against Tennessee and Tech at the WCWS, she was lights out and gave the team a chance to win and that's all you can ask.  And she did it with a smile on her face.  Because of her outings, Kavan was able to get the needed rest to do what she does best.

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