Austin, Texas – For the first time in their illustrious history, the Texas Longhorns softball team has reached the summit of collegiate softball, capturing the NCAA National Championship! This momentous victory, achieved on Friday, June 6, 2025, with a decisive 10-4 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series, marks a watershed moment for the program and brings a long-awaited national title back to the Forty Acres.
The journey to this historic championship was one defined by perseverance, strategic development, and a relentless pursuit of excellence under the guidance of Head Coach Mike White. While the Texas Longhorns boast a staggering 68 all-time NCAA National Championships across various sports, the softball program, which began varsity intercollegiate competition in 1997, had never before tasted this ultimate success. They had made eight previous trips to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), reaching the championship series twice before in 2022 and 2024, only to fall short against the perennial powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners. This year, however, was different.
The 2025 season saw the Longhorns, ranked No. 3/4 nationally, compile an impressive 56-12 record, setting a new program record for most wins in a single season. Their path to the WCWS title was a grueling one, navigating a highly competitive Big 12 conference (their last season before moving to the SEC) and a challenging NCAA Tournament bracket.
The championship series itself pitted the Longhorns against a familiar in-state foe, the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Under new head coach Gerry Glasco, Texas Tech had also enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, making a surprising run to the WCWS finals and showcasing their own formidable talent, including star pitcher NiJaree Canady, a two-time NFCA Pitcher of the Year. The all-Texas championship showdown added an extra layer of intensity and regional pride to the grandest stage in college softball.
Game 3 of the championship series, held at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, was a winner-take-all affair, and the Longhorns came out swinging with an offensive explosion that set the tone early. They wasted no time in getting to Texas Tech’s ace, NiJaree Canady, scattering five runs in the very first inning. The scoring onslaught began with Reese Atwood’s two-out single through the left side, scoring Kayden Henry and marking the first earned run Canady had allowed in a first inning since April 17, 2025. Katie Stewart followed with an RBI single, and then Leighann Goode delivered a monumental three-run home run over the wall, stunning the crowd and giving Texas a commanding 5-0 lead.
The Longhorns continued to press their advantage. In the fourth inning, Mia Scott, a key player throughout the WCWS, put the exclamation point on the offensive performance with a grand slam, scoring Kaydee Bennett, Ashton Maloney, and Kayden Henry, extending Texas’s lead to a near-insurmountable 10-0. This offensive outburst, showcasing the depth and power of the Texas lineup, was a testament to their preparation and execution on the biggest stage.
While Texas Tech valiantly fought back, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth to avoid the mercy rule and adding a fourth run in the seventh, the Longhorns’ pitching staff, led by freshman sensation Teagan Kavan, held firm. Kavan, who delivered a masterful performance throughout the WCWS, extended her consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run in the tournament to an astonishing 31.2 straight, setting a new Division I record. She ultimately capped the contest with a ground ball to Leighann Goode, securing the final out and igniting the celebration.
The victory was a culmination of years of building under Coach Mike White, who took over the program in 2019. White, who had previously led Oregon to five WCWS appearances, brought a championship pedigree to Austin. While the Longhorns had come agonizingly close in recent years, particularly against their arch-rival Oklahoma, this year they overcame every obstacle to claim their elusive first national title. The team’s resilience was further highlighted by their ability to win the championship despite the season-ending injury to star player Viviana Martinez, who redshirted the 2025 season. Her encouragement and support from the dugout were invaluable to her teammates.
The celebration that followed was jubilant and well-deserved. Per University of Texas tradition, the iconic Tower on the campus was lit in burnt orange from top-to-bottom with the number “1” lit on all four sides, signifying an NCAA team championship. This marked the second team national championship for The University of Texas during the 2024-25 academic year, as Men’s Swimming and Diving had also won a national title in late March, underscoring the overall athletic success at the university.
With this historic win, Texas Softball joins UCLA as only the second school to achieve the “big three” of women’s sports – national titles in basketball, volleyball, and softball – a testament to the strength and commitment to women’s athletics within the Texas athletic department under Athletic Director Chris Del Conte. Nine of the 15 NCAA championships won by Texas since Del Conte’s arrival in 2017 have come from women’s programs.
The 2025 NCAA National Championship for Texas Longhorns softball is more than just a trophy; it’s a validation of years of hard work, strategic investment, and unwavering belief. It cements the program’s place among the elite in the sport and sets a new standard for future generations of Longhorn softball players. For the first time, “National Champions” can proudly be added to the Texas Longhorns softball legacy.
