As the dust settles on a remarkable Women’s College World Series, Oklahoma’s championship dreams have come to an unexpected halt. Yet, in a fitting tribute to their legacy, the Sooners battled fiercely until the very last pitch.
In a nail-biting seventh inning on Monday night, Abigale Dayton, the ninth hitter in Oklahoma’s lineup, delivered a dramatic two-out, two-strike homer to tie the game against Texas Tech. This moment of “Sooner Magic,” however, was fleeting, as the Red Raiders showcased their resilience and skill in their first WCWS appearance, ultimately seizing the victory with a final score of 3-2.
Texas Tech’s lineup put together a series of clutch performances after Dayton’s equalizer, with Mihyia Davis’s single and Hailey Toney’s pivotal double setting the stage for Lauren Allred. She capped off the memorable contest with a walk-off RBI sacrifice fly, propelling her team into the championship series against Texas, which is set to commence on Wednesday. Notably, neither Texas Tech nor Texas has ever claimed a national title in softball, adding another layer of significance to this championship series.
Reflecting on the victory, Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco remarked, “We didn’t want it to be easy. It’s Oklahoma. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy. This was our chance at forever—to leave a legacy at Texas Tech that will be remembered forever.” And remember it they will, as this moment marks a pivotal chapter in Red Raiders history.
The Sooners, with their storied history and dominance, will not be competing for the championship for the first time since 2018. Glasco drew a striking parallel between Oklahoma’s head coach, Patty Gasso, and the legendary coach John Wooden, highlighting the sustained excellence of Oklahoma’s program. “What a privilege for my kids to play against a team that well-coached and that talented,” he said. “Just being on the field with them is a great honor.”
Despite a roster filled with 14 new players this season, the Sooners came into the WCWS as favorites, showcasing their mettle by defeating Tennessee thanks to a walk-off homer from sophomore Ella Parker. They had a semblance of that trademark late-game magic against Texas Tech as well, as Dayton’s homer ignited hopes for a comeback.
But the Red Raiders, buoyed by an underdog mentality, remained undeterred. Canady, the standout pitcher for Texas Tech, noted the lack of pressure on her team as they defied doubters. “They didn’t think we’d get to this point,” she said with a confident grin.
After transferring from Stanford and signing a lucrative NIL deal worth over $1 million, Canady proved to be the linchpin for her team. Glasco recognized her as a catalyst for mental toughness within the squad, transforming them into contenders against titans like Oklahoma. Remarkably, she pitched every inning of the WCWS leading up to the championship series—a feat not achieved since UCLA’s Rachel Garcia in 2019.
With the weight of the final inning resting heavily on her shoulders after the tying home run, Canady’s teammates rallied around her—speaking to the camaraderie and collective spirit established within the Red Raiders. “We just played for each other,” she emphasized, capturing the essence of their team.
For Oklahoma’s senior first baseman, Cydney Sanders, the ending, while heartbreaking, remained heroic in its own right. “Honestly, it was a very cinematic way to go out,” she said, reflecting on the competitive spirit of her team.
Despite the bittersweet conclusion to their season, Gasso encouraged her players to embrace the lessons learned and the memories forged. “It’s time to begin a new legacy here at Oklahoma,” she told her team, a salutation that inspires future generations.
As tears flowed in the postgame locker room, one sentiment rang clear: the Sooners may have bowed out, but they did so with the heart and determination that has defined their program for years. And while they won’t be chasing a title this year, their legacy, akin to that of their rivals, remains stamped in history. The stage is set for Texas Tech and Texas to write the next chapter, but the echoes of Oklahoma’s past prowess will linger on.
