Live updates, how to watch WCWS

OKLAHOMA CITY — Just like last season, Texas softball opened the championship series at the Women’s College World Series against Texas Tech Wednesday with a win. Following their 7-3 victory at Devon Park, the Longhorns will now try and close out Texas Tech for a second consecutive national championship in Game 2 Thursday at 7:08 p.m. 

After throwing just 1⅓ innings in Game 1, Texas Tech All-American NiJaree Canady gets the start in Game 2. Texas coach Mike White counters with senior Citlaly Gutierrez.

Read below for live scores and updates Wednesday as the Texas Longhorns face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Women’s College World Series.

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Citlaly Gutierrez stays in the game for Texas at pitcher and sends the Red Raiders down in order, even if the third out on a throw to first by 3B Jaycie Nichols was really, really close. Teagan Kavan is warming up for Texas, which is a nice ace in the hole for Mike White, so to speak.

A Texas Tech error gives Texas the lead. With two outs and the bases loaded, Vivi Martinez chops a ball to SS Hailey Toney, who wildly throws the ball past third base for the error. Jaycie Nichols and Ashton Maloney score after Texas tallied two hits off Tech starter NiJaree Canady.

Somewhat surprisingly, Texas brings in freshman Hannah Wells to pitch for Citlaly Gutierrez, who allowed three hits with one walk and two strikeouts in three innings. Wells gives up a single to Jasmyn Burns, who eventually reaches third on a wild pitch from Wells. Wells also walks NaJaree Canady and hits Mia Williams. Guess what? Gutierrez returns with the bases loaded and gets Mihyia Davis to fly out. Curious inning from Mike White.

Texas makes some noise with a two-out double by Reese Atwood to the wall, and Leighann Goode reaches first after getting hit by NiJaree Canady. But Canady forces a soft flyout by Hannah Wells and has only allowed two hits without a walk.

An infield single by Lauren Allred drives in speedy Mihyia Davis from second. Texas 2B Leighann Goode bobbled the ball, but Davis would likely have scored anyway so no error. Davis scored after a single and her second steal of the game. Tech base-running is beating the throws of Texas catcher Reese Atwood so far.

Texas is trying to slap its way onto base, but Tech starter NiJaree Canady is forcing a series of weak groundouts. She’s allowed just one hit and has retired nine straight batters.

Tech gets two on and one out after a walk to Kaitlyn Terry and a single by Jasmyn Burns, Tech’s first hit. But Texas starter Citlaly Gutierrez gets out of that little jam with a strikeout and a groundout by Lagi Quiroga.

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady gets her first strikeout of the game vs. Hannah Wells, and she quickly gets through the second inning.

Tech’s Mihyi Davis gets on base after getting hit by a Citlaly Gutierrez pitch and swipes her 140th career steal, but the Red Raiders can’t get a hit.

Texas leadoff hitter Kayden Henry opens the game with a single and gets her 30th steal of the season and 90th of her career, but Tech starter NiJaree Canady forces a pair of popouts and a groundout by Reese Atwood to get out of the inning.

Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady throws a strike to Texas leadoff hitter Kayden Henry, and we’re off in Game 2. The Longhorns are trying to win a second straight national championship, and Texas Tech is trying to force a Game 3 Friday.

Not surprisingly, Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco will start NiJaree Canady (29-6, 1.87 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) in the circle. But Texas coach Mike White resisted the temptation to start ace Teagan Kavan for a second consecutive night and will go with senior Citlaly Gutierrez, who had arguably her best game of a four-year career Monday in an elimination game against Tennessee when she threw 6⅔ innings and gave up just five hits and two runs in a 5-2 win. 

When: 7:08 p.m. Thursday

Where: Devon Park, Oklahoma City

TV/radio: ESPN; texaslonghorns.com

Reach Texas beat reporter Thomas Jones via email at tjones@statesman.com.