No. 3 Texas Softball lost 6-3 to No. 8 Tennessee in the opening game of the 2026 Women’s College World Series at Devon Park, Oklahoma City, on May 28.
Texas will next play No. 20 Mississippi State in an elimination game scheduled for Friday, May 29, at 6 p.m. Central Time at Devon Park.
Senior second baseman Leighann Goode led Texas offensively with her twelfth home run of the season—a two-run shot to center field in the sixth inning. Goode reached base twice in four plate appearances and also drew a walk in the second inning. Senior catcher Reese Atwood, senior right fielder Ashton Maloney, freshman designated player Hannah Wells, and freshman third baseman Jaycie Nichols each contributed a hit for Texas.
Junior right-handed pitcher Teagan Kavan started for Texas and allowed three runs on three hits with three strikeouts over three innings before being replaced by senior right-handed pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez at the start of the fourth inning. Gutierrez pitched four innings and gave up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Tennessee took an early lead with a three-run home run in the second inning and extended it to 4-0 after a wild pitch scored another run in the fifth. Texas responded when sophomore pinch runner Taylor Anderson scored from second base following an errant throw to first. Tennessee added another run in the sixth before Goode’s home run narrowed their lead to two runs. Tennessee scored again on a sacrifice fly in the seventh; Texas turned that play into a double play by tagging out a trailing runner at third.
