Texas softball’s Reese Atwood pulled a Miguel Cabrera in the 2025 Women’s College World Series.
The Longhorns catcher was in the process of being intentionally walked by Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady in Game 1 of the championship series, with Texas trailing 1-0 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. Instead, a 3-0 pitch by Canady caught too much of the plate and Atwood drove a single to right field to plate a pair of runs.
The Longhorns took a 2-1 lead over the Red Raiders in the bottom of the sixth inning as a result of Atwood’s heroics.
For Atwood, it was a bit of redemption. She had appeared to catch Logan Halleman stealing second base in the fifth inning, but Leighann Goode was called for obstruction and Halleman was awarded second base. Mihyia Davis drove in the go-ahead run one batter later.
Speaking after the game with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Atwood said she noticed Canady’s first pitch was in the zone, adding that she noticed her pitches were slowing in the at-bat, prompting her to swing on what would have been the fourth ball.
‘I knew I was gonna have to take a risk to do something for my team.’
The play ultimately proved to be the game-winner for the Longhorns after the Red Raiders failed to get the tying run to cross the plate in the top of the seventh inning.
Speaking to reporters after the game in Oklahoma City, Canady said she took responsibility for the loss.
‘I made that mistake,’ Canady said (via the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal). ‘That loss is on me and I apologize to my team.’
With that, Atwood and Texas will take a 1-0 lead into the potentially fateful Game 2 on June 5.
