Texas defeats Texas Tech to repeat as NCAA softball champions
OKLAHOMA CITY — 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.
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.
Gutierrez (11-3) allowed one run on three hits in 4⅓ innings. Kavan notched her fifth save.
Canady (29-7) went the distance and allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits with three walks.
Lauren Allred had an RBI single in the third to put Texas Tech up 1-0.
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 opener.
Texas won the rubber game of the three-game series against Texas Tech last season to claim its first title.