USA TODAY NETWORK
June 4, 2026Updated June 5, 2026, 1:11 a.m. ET
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Full Summary
Texas captured its second consecutive Women’s College World Series championship by defeating Texas Tech 4–1 in the final on June 4, 2026, after rallying from an early deficit and earning back‑to‑back most‑outstanding‑player honors for pitcher Teagan Kavan.
Texas opened the 2026 Women’s College World Series with a 6-3 loss to Tennessee that immediately put the Longhorns on their heels for the rest of the event.
They ended it by once again hoisting an NCAA championship trophy into the Oklahoma night.
Citlaly Gutierrez and Teagan Kavan combined to give up three hits and one earned run in 6 1/3 innings as No. 2 Texas knocked off No. 11 Texas Tech 4-1 and swept the best-of-three championship series of the 2026 WCWS on Thursday, June 4 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The NCAA title is the second in a row for the Longhorns, who also defeated the Red Raiders in last year’s championship series. After losing their WCWS opener, they rattled off six consecutive victories, four of which came in elimination games. Their six wins in elimination games in the NCAA tournament tied a Division I record.WOMEN’S SPORTS: The latest news and insider insights from USA TODAY Studio IX.
For the second time in as many years, Kavan was named the event’s most outstanding player, becoming the first person to ever earn the honor in back-to-back years. The Iowa native struck out five of the six batters she faced on Thursday to seal the victory.REQUIRED READING: Who won WCWS 2026? Texas earns back-to-back championships
After falling behind 1-0, Texas got a pair of runs on a throwing error from Red Raiders shortstop Hailey Toney in the top of the fifth inning. The Longhorns padded that advantage with two more runs in the seventh inning, the first of which was a solo homer from Kayden Henry.
NiJaree Canady took the loss for the Red Raiders after giving up eight hits and two earned runs in seven innings in the final game of her decorated college career. Lauren Allred drove in Texas Tech’s lone run of the night.
