Alabama Falls One Game Short of Championship Series with Two Losses to Texas Tech

After the Crimson Tide lost a closely contested game in the first semifinal, NiJaree Canady shut down Alabama in the rematch to end the Tide's season.

Alabama outfielder Ana Roman (21) celebrates getting on second base in the second inning during a softball game at the Women’s College World Series between Texas Tech and Alabama at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Monday, June 1, 2026. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

OKLAHOMA CITY–– Alabama needed just one win in two tries against Texas Tech on Monday to reach its first Women's College World Series championship series since 2014. The top-seeded Crimson Tide could not get a win in either try.

After a tightly contested first game, Alabama's offense disappeared in the second matchup as No. 11 Texas Tech shut out the Tide offense behind the arm of NiJaree Canady for a 2-0 win to end Alabama's hopes at a national title.

Audrey Vandagriff doubled with two outs in the seventh inning to bring the game-tying run to the plate, but a nice running catch in right field on a ball off the bat of Ambrey Taylor ended the game.

Alabama's pitchers, Jocelyn Briski and Vic Moten, put Alabama in a position to win both games, but the offense could not come through. The Tide trailed 4-2 heading into the seventh inning of Game 1, and Jena Young tied it in the top of the inning with a two-run home run. The excitement was short lived as Texas Tech's Mia Williams hit a leadoff home run in the bottom half of the frame to force the if-necessary game with a 5-4 win.

The Crimson Tide offense could never get things going in the second matchup with just two hits and four total baserunners.

Briski got the start for Alabama in both games. It was clear she didn't have her best stuff in Game 2, allowing eight hits. Yet she escaped jam out of jam, setting it up for the offense to make a play. Unfortunately for Briski, the offense could not provide her any support.

In Game 1, Alabama held an early lead thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly from Vandagriff in the top of the second inning. Texas Tech answered in the bottom half of the frame with an RBI double from Haile Toney and then took the lead in the third on a solo home run from Lauren Allred. As she has done so many times before, Alabama captain Marlie Giles hit a home run to tie it up in the fourth.

The back-and-forth game ended with Williams' walk-off home run in the seventh.

"You guys know, it's where legends are made, the University of Alabama," Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy said. "And Jena Young just had a legendary moment there to tie it up, and unfortunately, they had one of their own, but it happened so fast."

Alabama's (56-9) phenomenal season comes up one game short. The Crimson Tide's seven seniors, but particularly Giles, will be remembered for their impact on this team and program.

This story will be updated.

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