The 2025 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) continues Thursday evening with a compelling matchup between two first-time participants: the No. 12-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders and the unseeded Ole Miss Rebels.
Scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, this game marks a historic milestone for both programs as they make their debut appearances on college softball’s biggest stage.
Let’s take a look at some of the most significant storylines heading into the matchup.
Game Info
Date: Thursday, May 29
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Devon Park, Oklahoma City
TV: ESPN2
How They Got to OKC
Texas Tech (50–12) secured its WCWS berth by defeating No. 5 Florida State in the Tallahassee Super Regional. Under first-year head coach Gerry Glasco, Texas Tech has achieved several program firsts this season, including winning the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, an NCAA regional title, and a Super Regional title.
Ole Miss (42–19) advanced to Oklahoma City by upsetting No. 4 Arkansas in the Fayetteville Super Regional. After splitting the first two games, the Rebels secured their WCWS spot with a decisive 7–4 victory in Game 3. This marks the Rebels’ first appearance in the WCWS, highlighting a season of significant achievements under head coach Jamie Trachsel.
Players to Watch
NiJaree Canady, RHP, Texas Tech
For Texas Tech, junior pitcher NiJaree Canady has been a standout performer. A transfer from Stanford, Canady leads the nation with a 0.89 ERA and has been instrumental in the Red Raiders’ postseason success, leading all WCWS pitchers with 279 strikeouts on the year.
Her dominance was on full display against Florida State, allowing just five hits, one earned run, two walks, and recording seven strikeouts over 14.0 IP against a top-ten offense. She also matched the Seminoles’ offensive production on the weekend, belting a solo home run over the right field wall in Tech’s Game 1 win.
Aliyah Binford, RHP, Ole Miss
Like the Red Raiders, Ole Miss has a two-way player that dominated in the Super Regional round, playing a major role in pushing the Rebels through to OKC—and it’s a familiar face. Baylor transfer Aliyah Binford was crucial against Arkansas. In the decisive Game 3, Binford delivered a pivotal performance by pitching 5.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run and retiring 11 of the last 12 batters she faced. Her efforts on the mound were instrumental in securing the Rebels’ first-ever trip to the Women’s College World Series. she’s also a significant offensive contributor.
Throughout the season, she has maintained a .328 batting average with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs, showcasing her versatility and importance to the team’s success. Her dual-threat capability makes her a player to watch as Ole Miss continues its historic postseason run.
What’s at Stake
As both teams make their inaugural WCWS appearances, this matchup offers an opportunity to set the tone for their respective programs on the national stage. The winner will advance in the double-elimination tournament, moving closer to a potential championship berth, while the loser will face an elimination game in the next round, and they’ll have to flip sides of the bracket. That could be detrimental, too, as the four teams on the other side of the action are Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN2 or stream it via the ESPN app. With both teams eager to make a lasting impression, Thursday’s contest promises to be a thrilling chapter in the 2025 WCWS.
