From Staff Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY – No. 3 Texas Softball capitalized on a five-run first inning to take down No. 6 Texas Tech, 7-3, in the first game of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series on Wednesday night at Devon Park.

Texas improves to 52-12 overall and secured its 25th win against a ranked opponent. Texas is 10-2 in the NCAA Tournament and 5-1 at the WCWS.

Junior RHP Teagan Kavan (29-6) threw her fourth complete game of this year’s WCWS and her 21st of the season. Across 7.0 innings of work, Kavan limited Tech to three runs on three hits with six strikeouts. Tech’s three hits were the second-fewest hits they’ve had in a game this year. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native worked around two walks and a hit batter. Kavan recorded two 1-2-3 innings and ended the game retiring five-straight batters.

Kavan has been coached by Russellville native Patty Ruth Taylor, who arrived at Texas before Kavan’s freshman season. With Taylor handling the pitching duties, the Longhorns have reached new heights, winning the program’s first national championship a season ago and they now sit one win away from a second-straight.

The Longhorns outhit Texas Tech at a 10-3 clip with two extra-base hits. Junior first baseman Katie Stewart hit a two-run home run in the first, setting a WCWS record with her fourth-consecutive game with a home run. Stewart reached base in three-of-four plate appearances after being intentionally walked and reaching via hit by pitch.

Junior shortstop Viviana Martinez went 2-for-3 with two RBI and junior center fielder Kayden Henry finished 2-for-4 and scored a run at leadoff. Senior right fielder Ashton Maloney drove in two runs on her triple in the first. It was Maloney’s team-leading fourth triple of the season.

Texas Tech launched a solo home run in the top of the first inning to go up 1-0 before Texas put up a five-spot in the bottom half.

It all began with Henry leading off with a bunt single. Then, Stewart demolished her 31st home run of the season to give Texas a 2-1 lead. With two outs, senior left fielder Kaiah Altmeyer drove in a run on her infield single to first base to score senior catcher Reese Atwood and grant a 3-1 advantage. Maloney mashed her team-leading fourth triple of the season to score Altmeyer and freshman designated player Hannah Wells and stretch the lead to 5-1.

Texas scored again in the fourth on Martinez’s single up the middle that allowed freshman third baseman Jaycie Nichols to score from second base, making it 6-1 Texas.

Tech trimmed Texas’ lead to 6-3 on a two-run home run in the top of the fifth.

Martinez boosted the Longhorn lead to 7-3 in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Nichols from third.

Game two between Texas and Texas Tech is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT Thursday, June 4, at Devon Park. The game will broadcast on ESPN.