No. 11 Texas Tech will face an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series after falling 2-1 to No. 7 Tennessee in a dramatic nine-inning contest Saturday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
The Red Raiders (58-8) forced extra innings by tying the game in the top of the seventh, but Tennessee secured the victory with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Texas Tech will now meet No. 8 UCLA (53-9) at 6 p.m. Sunday with its season on the line.
The matchup featured a pitching duel throughout much of the afternoon. Tennessee broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Taelyn Holley hit a solo home run to give the Lady Volunteers a 1-0 advantage.
Texas Tech responded in its final regulation at-bat. Taylor Pannell opened the seventh with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Desirae Spearman to even the score at 1-1. The Red Raiders threatened to take the lead later in the inning but left runners in scoring position.
After two scoreless innings in extras, Tennessee ended the game when Emma Clarke led off the ninth with a home run to center field.
Texas Tech managed five hits in the loss, matching Tennessee’s total. Mihyia Davis led the Red Raiders offensively with a 2-for-4 performance, while Mia Williams contributed the team’s lone extra-base hit with a double. Pannell, Lauren Allred and Davis accounted for the remaining hits.
In the circle, Teagan Kavan Terry suffered just her second loss of the season after allowing the game-winning homer. NiJaree Canady provided effective relief, striking out three over 3.2 innings while surrendering Tennessee’s first run.
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