Reese Atwood (14) of Texas celebrates as she drives in two runs on a single in the sixth inning of Game 1 of the Women's College World Series championship series between the Texas Longhorns at Texas Tech Red Raiders at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Texas won 2-1.

Texas softball took Game 1 of the 2025 Women’s College World Series championship series and is looking to sweep its in-state foe on June 5.

A pitching duel between NiJaree Canady and Teagan Kavan dominated the majority of the night, but controversy — and a clutch hit by Longhorns catcher Reese Atwood — also took center stage in the Longhorns' 2-1 win on June 4 vs. Texas Tech at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

The Red Raiders will need to bounce back with a victory to force a Game 3 on June 6. However, as the ESPN broadcast noted, 80% of the teams that win Game 1 of the championship series have gone on to win the national championship.

Texas Tech scored its lone run of the game in the fifth inning after a controversial obstruction call against Leighann Goode on a stolen base attempt at second base. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Atwood singled on a 3-0 pitch during an intentional walk by Canady to give the Longhorns a 2-1 lead.

Here’s a look at the schedule for WCWS on Thursday, including start time, TV channel and more:

Women’s College World Series game today

Texas and Texas Tech revive their Big 12 rivalry in the 2025 WCWS championship series, with both programs aiming for their first softball national championship in program history. Including the June 4 Game 1 victory, the Longhorns have won 15 in a row in the series. Texas is 3-0 vs the Red Raiders this season.

With its season on the line, Texas Tech likely turns to Canady to keep its season alive for another day. Here’s a look at Thursday's WCWS schedule:

All times Eastern

  • No. 13 Texas Tech vs. No. 6 Texas | 8 p.m. | ESPN (ESPN+)

Who is in the Women’s College World Series?

The WCWS began May 29 with eight teams vying for a national championship and the field has narrowed down to two teams ― Texas and Texas Tech ― in a best-of-three game championship series. The Longhorns hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three game series.

Here’s who remains:

  • No. 2 Oklahoma (51-8)
  • No. 3 Florida (48-16)
  • No. 6 Texas (53-11)
  • No. 7 Tennessee (45-16)
  • No. 9 UCLA (55-12)
  • No. 12 Texas Tech (52-12)
  • No. 16 Oregon (53-9)
  • Ole Miss (42-19)

Women’s College World Series bracket

Click here to see the official bracket for the 2025 Women’s College World Series.

When is the Women’s College World Series?

The 2025 WCWS began May 29 and will wrap up on either June 5 or June 6, depending on whether the best-of-three championship series goes two or the full three games.

Watch the 2025 Women's College World Series live with ESPN+

What channel is the Women’s College World Series championship series on?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: ESPN app | ESPN+

Game 2 of the WCWS championship series will air on ESPN. Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Jessica Mendoza (analyst) and Michele Smith (analyst) will have the call for the potential series-deciding game, with Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for all four games include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WCWS schedule: Score, start time, TV channel for Thursday's championship series game

Reporting by Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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