Red Raiders advance to WCWS final after 3-2 win over Oklahoma

The 2025 softball season will forever be etched in the memory of Red Raider fans—and for good reason. It’s been a year of breakthrough moments, relentless grit, and program-defining victories. On Wednesday night, Texas Tech will cap off its fairytale postseason run by playing for something it has never even sniffed before: a Women’s College World Series national championship.

Yes, you read that right. For the first time in school history, the Red Raiders are headed to the WCWS championship series. And fittingly, they’ll be facing their longtime rival, the Texas Longhorns, in a high-stakes, best-of-three showdown that starts Wednesday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

From Underdogs to Title Contenders

While the nation might see this Texas Tech team as a Cinderella story, those inside the locker room have believed in this possibility all along—none more than head coach Gerry Glasco. Hired just a year ago, Glasco brought not just experience and structure, but belief. From day one, he preached that Texas Tech wasn’t here to compete—it was here to win.

And win they have.

The Red Raiders’ postseason has been nothing short of spectacular. After knocking off Ole Miss in their WCWS opener, Texas Tech followed that up with a gritty 3-1 win over powerhouse UCLA, a program synonymous with softball dominance. But perhaps the most symbolic victory came Monday night: a 3-2 thriller against defending national champion Oklahoma, played just 20 miles from the Sooners’ home turf in Norman.

Clutch Moments, Dominant Arms

The win over Oklahoma was a microcosm of Texas Tech’s entire postseason—tenacious, tactical, and timed to perfection. NiJaree Canady, the Red Raiders’ ace, once again delivered a gem in the circle. Her ability to keep even the most dangerous lineups off balance has been a postseason game-changer.

And then came the walk-off moment. In the bottom of the seventh, with the game tied, Lauren Allred stepped up with calm poise and executed a perfect sacrifice to drive in the winning run. That one swing didn’t just end the game—it ended Oklahoma’s dream of a five-peat and sent Tech to a place it had never been.

The Rivalry Renewed—This Time for It All

Now, the Red Raiders face Texas in what promises to be an emotionally charged, high-drama series. The in-state rivalry brings an extra layer of intensity to an already monumental occasion. Texas, a program with deeper WCWS roots, will be looking to assert its dominance. But Texas Tech has been playing like a team that doesn’t care about history or expectations—they’re writing their own.

The Red Raiders enter the championship on a 12-game winning streak, dating back to their regular-season finale against BYU. They’ve shown they can win with power, with pitching, and with poise. And now, they have a shot at winning it all.

What’s Next

The championship series kicks off Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (CT) on ESPN, with games two and three (if necessary) set for Thursday and Friday. It’s the biggest moment in Texas Tech softball history—and maybe one of the most compelling stories in all of college sports this season.

So whether you’re a lifelong Red Raider or just love an underdog story, now’s the time to tune in. Because this isn’t just a season of firsts—it might just end with a national title.

Wreck ‘Em, Tech.