Reese Atwood served as the hero for Texas softball in Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series national championship series against Texas Tech.

The No. 6-seeded Longhorns are now just one win away from the first softball championship in program history after Atwood took a 3-0 intentional walk pitch from NiJaree Canady and singled to give Texas a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Now, the Red Raiders and Canady — who took the blame on herself following the loss — will need to win on June 5 to continue their season at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Teagan Kavan, who delivered a game in Game 1, will likely be back in the circle to help the Longhorns close the series out.

USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along here:

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Texas vs Texas Tech softball live score

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Texas vs Texas Tech softball live updates

Bottom of sixth inning: Texas Tech 2, Texas 1

Texas Tech three outs away from tying WCWS finals

NiJaree Canady bounces back from the Mia Scott home run by striking out Reese Atwood for the second time tonight, and then gets Joley Mitchell to foul out to third base.

The Red Raiders are three outs away from trying the WCWS championship series 1-1, forcing a Game 3 on Friday.

Mia Scott homers to cut Texas Tech lead to 2-1

Mia Scott hits a one-out solo home run to get Texas a run back in the top of the sixth inning. That home run had an exit velocity of 80 mph. She’s the career World Series leader with four home runs.

End of fifth inning: Texas Tech 2, Texas 0

Texas Tech scores two in fifth inning

Texas Tech is six outs away from forcing a Game 3 following a two-run fifth inning. The Red Raiders loaded the bases with two outs and were able to plate two runs on a hit by pitch and a wild pitch.

Raegan Jennings led off the inning with a single, with Mihyia Davis adding a one-out double. Lauren Allred walked to load the bases with two outs. Alana Johnson drove in the first run when she was hit by a pitch on her thigh.

The Red Raiders scored their second run on a wild pitch from Camrbia Salmon on a changeup that got past catcher Reese Atwood.

Texas Tech scores second run on wild pitch

A wild pitch by Cambria Salmon gets by catcher Reese Atwood, and that scores the second run of the inning for the Red Raiders.

Alana Johnson hit by pitch scores first run

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Alana Johnson is hit by a pitch to plate the first run of the game and give Texas Tech a 1-0 lead.

Teagan Kavan warming up for Texas

Teagan Kavan is warming up in the bullpen for Texas in the bottom of the fifth inning. She could be entering when the Red Raiders have the top of their order come to the plate.

NiJaree Canady records first 1-2-3 inning

NiJaree Canady records her first 1-2-3 inning of the evening in the top of the fifth inning. She picks up her fourth strikeout in the process.

Demi Elder recorded a diving catch to start the inning.

End of fourth inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0

1-2-3 fourth inning for Cambria Salmon

Cambria Salmon records a 1-2-3 fourth inning, as all three outs are recorded by second baseman Kaydee Bennett. The Red Raiders have just one hit since the first inning.

NiJaree Canady escapes fourth-inning jam

Sandwiched around a pair of strikeouts, Texas has a pair of singles to put runners on the corners with two outs. However, NiJaree Canady gets Victoria Hunter to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.

Canady had just one strikeout entering the inning. She now has three through four innings.

Mike White says Teagan Kavan ‘could’ pitch tonight

In an interview before the fourth inning with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Texas coach Mike White says Teagan Kavan could be available to pitch tonight. He also said the plan is currently for Cambria Salmon to follow the lead of Mac Morgan to pitch through the lineup once.

End of third inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0

Game 2 of WCWS finals is scoreless through 3 innings

We’re through three scoreless innings in Game 2 of the WCWS championship series. Freshman pitcher Cambria Salmon allows a leadoff single to Mihyia Davis, but then gets the next three hitters out to escape any threat.

Texas third baseman Mia Scott made a pair of key putouts in the inning. Her defense in the WCWS has been a major key for the Longhorns.

Cambria Salmon stats

Cambria Salmon has posted a 2.37 ERA in 59 innings in her freshman season. She has struck out 65 and walked 19 batters. Her last outing was May 23 vs. Clemson.

Cambria Salmon takes over for Mac Morgan

Freshman pitcher Cambria Salmon has taken over for Mac Morgan in the circle in the bottom of the third inning.

End of second inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0

Ashton Maloney records web gem catch to end Texas Tech second

Defense is taking over in the second inning of Game 2 of the WCWS finals. Texas right fielder Ashton Maloney makes a diving catch to rob Bailey Lindemuth of a potential hit to end the second inning.

Mac Morgan bounces back from a long first inning with a 1-2-3 second inning.

Texas Tech turns double play to end Texas second

NiJaree Canady walks Katie Stewart with one out on a full count, but bounces back to induce a groundball double play off the bat of Victoria Hunter to end the second inning.

NiJaree Canady makes highlight-reel catch

NiJaree Canady lays out for a diving catch on a bunt attempt by Texas catcher Joley Mitchell. That’s the first out of the top of the second inning as Canady dives to the first base side to make the grab.

End of first inning: Texas Tech 0, Texas 0

Mac Morgan escapes bases-loaded jam

Mac Morgan loads the bases with one out, but gets Alexa Langeliers to ground out to first base for a force out at home and then NiJaree Canady to shortstop to escape the jam.

That’s two straight days the Red Raiders load the bases in the first inning but cannot push across a run.

Texas Tech loads the bases in first inning

Texas Tech loads the bases with back-to-back singles and a four-pitch walk against Mac Morgan. The Red Raiders also loaded the bases in Game 1 in the first inning on Wednesday but did not score a run.

Alexa Langeliers is at the plate.

NiJaree Canady pitches scoreless first inning

Texas gets two hits in the inning, but a throw-out at second from catcher Victoria Valdez helps NiJaree Canady escape the first inning unscathed.

The Longhorns had just four hits in six innings off Canady on Wednesday.

Patrick Mahomes in attendance of Game 2 of WCWS finals

Former Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes has made it to Devon Park in Oklahoma City for Game 2 of the WCWS finals. Read more about why Mahomes is in attendance for the game here.

Texas challenges for obstruction

After Kayden Henry singles up the middle, she attempts to steal second base. She is thrown out by catcher Victoria Valdez. However, Texas challenges the call for a potential obstruction. The call is upheld and Henry is ruled out.

Game 2 of WCWS final underway

NiJaree Canady induces a ground out from Ashton Maloney on the second pitch to get Game 2 underway from the WCWS championship series.

Pregame

Mac Morgan vs Tennessee in WCWS semifinal, revisited

While Texas Tech hitters may be relieved to not see Teagan Kavan tonight, Mac Morgan won’t be an easy matchup either. Morgan limited Tennessee to three hits in four scoreless innings on Monday in the semifinals. She collected four strikeouts and walked just one batter.

NiJaree Canady stats

Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has posted a 33-6 record with a 0.94 ERA in 232 innings in 2025. She has struck out 311 hitters this season to just 44 walks.

Canady had seven strikeouts in six innings on Wednesday. She allowed two runs on four hits.

NiJaree Canady gets start for Texas Tech

NiJaree Canady is back in the circle for Texas Tech in the must-win Game 2 of the WCWS championship series. Canady’s one blemish, a misfire on an intentional walk 3-0 pitch to Reese Atwood, was the difference in Game 1.

If Canady can deliver like she has the rest of the postseason, the Red Raiders could be well-positioned to force a Game 3.

Texas Tech starting lineup for WCWS final Game 2

Here’s a look at the Red Raiders’ starting lineup for the win-or-go-home Game 2

1. Mihyia Davis, CF
2. Hailey Toney, SS
3. Lauren Allred, 1B
4. Alana Johnson, RF
5. Alexa Langeliers, 2B
6. NiJaree Canady, P
7. Demi Elder, LF
8. Victoria Valdez, C
9. Bailey Lindemuth, 3B
10. Brenlee Gonzales, DP

Mac Morgan starting pitcher for Texas

Texas is going with Mac Morgan over Teagan Kavan for Game 2 of the WCWS final. Morgan has a 3.23 ERA in 73 2/3 innings this season. Her last appearance was against Tennessee on June 2.

Mike White is likely saving Kavan for if the Longhorns get a lead to close out the championship. If Texas Tech gets ahead, he has a fresh ace for the winner-take-all Game 3.

Texas starting lineup for WCWS final Game 2

Here’s the Longhorns’ starting lineup for the second game of the WCWS final:

1. Ashton Maloney, RF
2. Kayden Henry, CF
3. Mia Scott, 3B
4. Reese Atwood, C
5. Joley Mitchell, 1B
6. Katie Stewart, LF
7. Victoria Hunter, DP
8. Leighann Goode, SS
9. Kaydee Bennett

Starting pitcher: Mac Morgan

Texas Tech needs win to keep season alive

Texas is just one win away from winning its first national championship in program history, while Texas Tech needs to win today to force a winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday. The Red Raiders are also looking for their first national championship.

First pitch is set for 8:50 p.m. for WCWS finals game 2

First pitch for Game 2 of the WCWS finals between Texas and Texas Tech is set for 8:50 p.m. ET. That means the game will start 50 minutes after the initial scheduled first pitch time.

Texas-Texas Tech enters weather delay

Game 2 of the Texas-Texas Tech matchup in the WCWS finals is delayed from its original first pitch time of 8 p.m. ET due to inclement weather in the Oklahoma City area. First pitch will be no earlier than 8:45 p.m. ET.

You can keep up here for live updates about the WCWS game.

What time does Texas vs Texas Tech softball start?

• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Date: Thursday, June 5
• Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)

First pitch for Game 2 of the WCWS finals is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

What TV channel is Texas vs Texas Tech softball on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+

Game 2 of the national championship series between Texas and Texas Tech will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a cable login) and ESPN+, the latter of which serves as the network’s streaming service.

WCWS finals schedule

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