Well, that wasn’t the ending that Texas Tech was looking for in the Women’s College World Series on Friday night.
The Red Raiders and the Texas Longhorns split two compelling games on Wednesday and Thursday, only to have the decisive third game turn into a runaway, as Texas beat Texas Tech, 10-4, in the final matchup of former Big 12 rivals.
It was a letdown, especially if one watched the first two games, which were dramatic, must-see TV games.
Texas got to Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady early and often and she only went one inning. It was an unceremonious end for the pitcher that has defined this WCWS and Texas Tech softball’s run from also-ran to national power in one year.
Here are three thoughts on the end of the Women’s College World Series.
TECH’S INCREDIBLE SEASON
This was a magical season in Lubbock. The loss hurts, but it doesn’t lessen it.
Before this year, the Red Raiders had made six previous NCAA Tournament appearances. Texas Tech had never won a conference title, a conference tournament title and certainly had never been to the Women’s College World Series.
Tech coach Gerry Glasco did a remarkable job in his first season. Sure, luring pitcher NiJaree Canady on a massive NIL deal helped. Great pitchers like her can dominate a game. But she needed pieces around her and the Red Raiders had them.
Now, the question — what does Tech do for an encore? Was this a flash in the pan or the start of Tech’s ability to compete long-term in a new Big 12?
 >The Matador Club reportedly took the first significant step on Friday by locking Canady into a million-dollar NIL deal. And, since House vs. NCAA was approved hours after the deal was struck, it likely won’t need to be included in the rev-share for the next athletic year. Fingers crossed (I guess).
Her NILs deals were clearly worth the money. The proof is in Tech’s magical season. Yes, she took a seat on Friday after Texas clearly figured her out. But she’ll be back, and with a season like this, the Red Raiders could do plenty of damage in the transfer portal.
THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Four years ago, Oklahoma and Texas decided to bolt the Big 12 for the SEC. The two schools just wrapped up their first years in the conference. Texas just brought the league a national championship in softball.
But imagine if Texas and Oklahoma hadn’t left, but Texas Tech did exactly what it did this year? Friday’s series would have been another Big 12 battle royale for a national championship. That would have been something.
But that’s not where we are. Texas is a member of the SEC and, for the first time in its history, the Longhorns won a softball national title. Given the legends that have dotted that program — Cat Osterman in particular — that’s almost impossible to believe.
It was the SEC’s first title since Florida won in 2015.
THE BIG 12 HELD STEADY
The departures of Texas and Oklahoma left a hole in the Big 12 when it came to softball. After one year, the league appears to have held steady.
Texas Tech not only reached the WCWS but got to the championship series. The conference sent five teams to the tournament. Arizona, along with Tech, were Top 16 seeds and hosted a regional. The Wildcats had the talent to get out of their regional, but fell into the loser’s bracket and eventually fell to Ole Miss.
The Wildcats will be back next year. So will Tech. Watch UCF, which is a rising power in the conference. Oklahoma State should be better. Expect the rest of the conference to raise their game, too.
Losing OU and Texas hurt, no question. But the league has already shown resiliency in just one season without them.
