
Texas Tech's Intentional Walk Backfires: Reese Atwood's Heroics Propel Texas to Victory in Game 1 of WCWS!
2025-06-05
Author: Ying
In a thrilling showdown at the Women's College World Series, Texas clinched a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Texas Tech, thanks to Reese Atwood's unexpected game-winning hit during a failed intentional walk.
Things were looking bleak for the Longhorns as they trailed 1-0, with Texas Tech's pitcher NiJaree Canady dominant on the mound and controlling the game. She had only allowed a single hit through 5 2/3 innings, but tension mounted as the sixth inning unfolded. With two outs and runners on second and third following a pair of stolen bases, Texas found itself in a clutch moment.
Atwood, who had been struggling throughout the tournament, seized the opportunity like a true champion. Swinging at a 3-0 pitch, she delivered a two-run single, marking her first hit of the series and turning the tide for the Longhorns. Her performance not only secured the win but also brought her team one step closer to their first WCWS championship in the best-of-three series.
"You got to take risks in a close game," Atwood reflected humbly after her impressive hit. "I knew I had a chance, and I took it." Canady, visibly shaken by her unintended decision to intentionally walk Atwood, admitted, "I made that mistake. This loss is on me. I apologize to my team." It was a historic moment for Canady, as it marked the first time in her career that she was instructed to intentionally walk a batter.
The game was not without its controversies. Texas Tech initially took the lead in the fifth inning thanks to a questionable obstruction call that overturned a clear out at second base, allowing Logan Halleman to score on a subsequent single. As the game stood at a tense 1-0, Texas's back was against the wall, but they managed to battle back.
Texas's All-America pitcher, Teagan Kavan, closed out the game with a stellar performance in the seventh inning, ensuring that the Longhorns left the field victorious. Kavan has now pitched 24 innings at the WCWS without allowing an earned run, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with.
With Game 2 of the series set for Thursday night, Texas Tech will aim to bounce back and extend the series, while the Longhorns are poised and ready to seek their coveted championship title.