Texas Tech Forces Game 3, Raising WCWS Stakes And Media Value

In game two of the Women’s College World Series, a battle ensued between the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech that saw the Red Raiders prevail, 4-3. Tech’s win forced the if necessary game three, winner-takes-all, must win scenario for the 2025 national title.

For most of the game it was a pitching and defensive contest where web gems reigned supreme including ones from Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady, Texas’ third baseman Mia Scott, and Red Raiders outfielder Demi Elder.

In the first inning Texas singled twice off Canady putting uncharacteristic pressure on the ace pitcher early in the game. However, after the first, Canady only conceded two hits and accumulated four strikeouts in the next four innings.

In the bottom of the fifth with two outs, the Red Raiders had the bases loaded after a single from pinch hitter Raegan Jennings, a double from center fielder Mihyia Davis, and then a walk to first baseman Lauren Allred.

With the air at its thickest and the nerves at their highest level, freshman relief pitcher Cambria Salmon walked in the first run and then threw a wild pitch for run number two, 2-0 Red Raiders.

Texas struck in the top of the sixth off the bat of senior phenom Scott who drilled a ball over the center field fence and brought the Longhorns within one run. Canady had only given up 11 home runs all year until the long ball from Scott.

In the bottom of the sixth with runners on the corners, Texas elected to bring in their ace Teagan Kavan from the bullpen after they had used a staff approach of Mac Morgan, Salmon, and Citlaly Gutierrez.

Kavan quickly got Red Raider third baseman Bailey Lindenmuth to pop up to center field but an errant throw from Kayden Henry meant another run for Texas Tech, 3-1. The next play saw a routine ground ball bobbled by second baseman Kaydee Bennett and another run notched for Texas Tech, 4-1. Texas finally exited the inning, but down three runs.

Texas, a team that is never out of a game made it interesting in the top of the seventh inning when they scored an additional two runs off a double from short stop Leighann Goode and a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Katie Cimusz but Canady struck out Henry to end the inning and forced game three.

The series now moves to the winner takes all third game on Friday, June 6 at 8 pm EST on ESPN/ESPN+. It has been since 2021 that softball fans have seen the championship series head to game three.

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