Texas Tech isn’t done yet.
With their backs against the wall, the Red Raiders outlasted Texas 4–3 in Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series on Wednesday night, forcing a decisive Game 3 and handing the Longhorns their first loss of the postseason.
Scoreless through four innings, Tech broke things open in the bottom of the fifth. A hit-by-pitch to Alana Johnson with the bases loaded pushed across the game’s first run, and Mihyia Davis came home shortly after on a wild pitch to make it 2–0.
The Red Raiders weren’t done, though, as they added two more in the sixth, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly from Brooke Lindemuth and an RBI single by Davis to stretch the lead to 4–1.
Texas answered in the top of the sixth with a solo home run from Mia Scott—her ninth of the season—but couldn’t fully solve NiJaree Canady, who bounced back from a Game 1 loss with a gritty complete-game effort. Canady struck out six, gave up just six hits, and leaned on a defense that made timely plays behind her.
Still, the Longhorns made things interesting. In the top of the seventh, a sacrifice fly from Katie Cimusz and an RBI double from Leighann Goode cut the deficit to one.
But with the tying run stranded, Canady shut the door and preserved the win.
With the series tied 1–1, Friday night’s Game 3 will decide it all. For Texas Tech, it’s a shot at the program’s first national title. For Texas, it’s one more chance to make history.
The Red Raiders and Longhorns are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday night, and one of them will end the evening with their program’s first ever national championship.
