Red Raiders return to the WCWS finals, setting up a Texas-sized rematch

For the second consecutive season, Texas Tech is headed to the Women’s College World Series Finals. The 11th-seeded Red Raiders punched their ticket back to college softball’s biggest stage Monday night at Devon Park, eliminating top-seeded Alabama with a 2-0 victory in the decisive semifinal game and setting up a highly anticipated championship showdown against Texas.

The road to the finals was anything but easy.

Texas Tech entered the day needing two wins against Alabama to advance and delivered under pressure. After rallying for a dramatic 5-4 victory in the opening game of the semifinal series, the Red Raiders returned to the field and completed the sweep behind a dominant pitching performance from ace NiJaree Canady.

Canady was outstanding throughout the evening, but her effort in the winner-take-all contest was particularly impressive. The right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out six Alabama hitters. After earning the win in relief during the first game, she returned to the circle and completely silenced one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses.

Alabama entered the matchup with 56 victories and the No. 1 national seed, but the Crimson Tide struggled to generate any offense against Canady. Every scoring opportunity was quickly erased as the Red Raiders’ ace controlled the game from start to finish.

While Canady dominated in the circle, Texas Tech’s offense provided just enough support.

The breakthrough came in the top of the fourth inning when Jasmyn Burns wasted no time attacking the first pitch she saw. The result was a towering solo home run over the center-field fence, giving the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead and energizing the Texas Tech dugout.

The homer was Burns’ 19th of the season and continued a remarkable power surge for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech launched four home runs during Monday’s semifinal action, including three in the opening game against Alabama.

Despite the slim margin, the Red Raiders continued to apply pressure throughout the contest. They finished with 10 hits and consistently challenged Alabama’s pitching staff, even though several early scoring opportunities went unanswered.

Mia Williams, Mihyia Davis, Lauren Allred and Burns each collected two hits in the victory. Williams, who delivered the walk-off home run in the first semifinal game, continued her productive night with a pair of singles. Davis extended her historic season by recording her 100th hit, further adding to her program-record total.

The insurance run finally arrived in the seventh inning.

After Davis reached base with a single, Allred delivered a sharp hit through the middle of the infield. A defensive miscue by Alabama allowed Davis to race all the way home from first base, extending the lead to 2-0 and giving Canady valuable breathing room heading into the final frame.

Even then, the game was not officially secured until the final out.

Alabama managed to put a runner aboard in the bottom of the seventh, but Canady remained composed. She induced a lineout to right field to end the threat and complete the shutout, sending Texas Tech players and fans into celebration.

The victory capped an unforgettable day for the Red Raiders.

Earlier in the evening, Texas Tech survived a dramatic first game that featured plenty of late-inning drama. Alabama tied that contest with a two-run home run in the seventh inning, only to watch Williams answer immediately with a walk-off blast. The home run was her 26th of the season and one of the biggest swings in program history.

Texas Tech also received home runs from Allred and Taylor Pannell during the opener, showcasing the offensive depth that has helped fuel one of the most successful seasons the program has ever experienced.

Now, the reward is another opportunity to compete for a national championship.

Waiting on the other side is a familiar opponent.

Texas also fought through a challenging semifinal Monday, defeating Tennessee twice to secure its place in the championship series. The matchup creates a rematch of the 2025 WCWS Finals, when the Longhorns captured the national title in a three-game series against Texas Tech.

That championship showdown produced one of the most memorable moments in Red Raider softball history when Texas Tech snapped a 15-game losing streak against Texas with a victory in Game 2 before ultimately falling in the decisive third game.

The Longhorns hold a commanding advantage in the all-time series and have traditionally controlled the rivalry. However, this season presents a unique opportunity for Texas Tech to change the narrative.

The two programs have not met during the 2026 season, adding another layer of intrigue to the championship matchup. Both teams navigated difficult paths through Oklahoma City, both survived elimination pressure, and both earned their spots in the finals.

Now, the state of Texas will take center stage as two of the nation’s best teams battle for college softball’s ultimate prize.

For Texas Tech, the mission is clear: finish the journey that came up one win short a year ago. With Canady leading the way and a confident lineup producing timely offense, the Red Raiders have positioned themselves just two victories away from the first national championship in program history.