2025 WCWS: Texas Tech fights off elimination, forces decisive Game 3 with win over Texas

Thursday night, the Texas vs. Texas Tech rivalry took on a new level of stakes in the Women’s College World Series. The Longhorns were looking to secure their first-ever national title while the Red Raiders sought to force a decisive Game 3 of the 2025 WCWS championship series.

Once again, a pitchers’ duel was in the cards. Neither team scored through the first four innings. That changed in the bottom of the fifth as Texas Tech struck first. It helped spark a late Red Raider surge as they fought off elimination and evened the series with a 4-3 victory.

Texas Tech loaded the bases when Alana Johnson got hit by a pitch from Cambria Salmon to put the Red Raiders on top, 1-0. One pitch later, Mihyia Davis scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 2-0 before Texas got the final out of the frame.

STRAIGHT GAS ⛽️#Big12SB | @TexasTechSB pic.twitter.com/BgieFIvROW

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) June 6, 2025

That sent NiJaree Canady back out into the circle with a two-run cushion. The two-time reigning National Pitcher of the Year had revenge in her sights after Wednesday night’s loss. A pitch on an intentional walk attempt drifted into the strike zone, leading to Reese Atwood’s game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth.

Canady got the first hitter, but Texas cut into the lead. Mia Scott hit just the 12th home run off the two-time All-American this year to make it a 2-1 Texas Tech lead – setting the WCWS career home runs record in the process. Canady then got out of the inning with the lead in tact.

Citlaly Gutierrez took over to relieve Salmon, becoming Texas’ third pitcher of the game as Teagan Kavan looked on from the dugout. Longhorns coach Mike White said the sophomore standout could be available if necessary, and she eventually entered with runners on first and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Facing the Texas ace, Texas Tech was still able to add onto its lead. Bailey Lindemuth launched a fly ball to center field, but pinch runner Makayla Garcia scored to make it a 3-1 Red Raiders advantage. TTU wasn’t done. Davis knocked a base hit to first, and Joley Mitchell couldn’t handle it, which allowed Victoria Valdez to score despite running through the stop sign.

Just like that, the Red Raiders had a 4-1 lead heading into the top of the seventh. But Texas didn’t back down. The Longhorns got one back when Leighann Goode launched an RBI double to left field, and she represented the tying run at second base. Katie Cimusz then hit a sacrifice fly to cut the Texas Tech lead to 4-3, bringing the top of the order back around.

However, Canady stood strong. She got a groundout before striking out Kayden Henry to end it – securing Texas Tech’s 4-3 victory and keeping its title hopes alive.

The winner will bring home its first-ever national championship. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.