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2025 WCWS Championship Round -- Game 1

Scoreless as Texas comes up in B3... Pretty uneventful except for the top of the first, when Texas Tech loaded the bases with no outs, but Raider pitcher NiJaree Canady hit into 5-2-3 double-play (video) and the next batter grounded out to end the threat... 

Longhorns get their first hit with two out in B3... Wild pitch sends UT runner to second... Easy grounder back to Canady to end the inning... 

T4, Raiders down quietly... Likewise for Longhorns in B4... 

T5, with one out, TTU gets runner on via infield fielding error... Runner seemingly cut down easily on steal attempt of second, but call overturned on obstruction. One out, runner on second... Easy flare to left side of infield for second Tech out... Mihyia Davis with bloop single to right-center to drive in runner, 1-0 Red Raiders... Ground-out to first to end half-inning... 

B5, UT again goes quietly, although a fly to left with home-run distance was narrowly foul... 

T6, Tech down quietly, still leading 1-0... 

B6, leadoff K, per ESPN Canady's sixth on the night... Another K for second out... Kayden Henry goes oppo with line single to left, then quickly steals second... Tech challenging if runner left first base early... Challenge denied... Mia Scott with slow infield chip-shot, not playable by Tech, runners at the corners with two out... Scott steals second on defensive indifference... Looks like TTU is intentionally walking Reese Atwood, but Atwood swings at 3-0 pitch (over the plate and soft for Canady at 68 mph) and singles to left, driving in two runs (video). ... Ground-out to end inning, Longhorns leading 2-1... 

T7, pressure abruptly shifts to Tech's shoulders, down to final three outs... Error (bobble) on sharp grounder to short gives Red Raiders leadoff runner (might have been a tough throw, though)... Easy fly to left for first out... Full count on next hitter... K looking for second out, Tech runner steals second... Something I've never seen in 20+ years of watching softball, runner sent back to first on "umpire interference" (ump's mask contacted catcher's arm)... Texas apparently challenging whether batter, after striking out, interfered with catcher by walking in front of her with a runner trying to steal... After review, no batter interference called... Tech down to last out, with runner on first... 0-1 count, now 0-2... Easy pop to first, Texas wins opener 2-1... 

What a lot of freak plays, including Tech runner being awarded second base on obstruction and later scoring (T5), Atwood's two-run single while apparently being walked intentionally (B6), and then all the inquiries into umpire and batter interference (T7)!

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