A Dramatic Turnaround in Oklahoma City
The 2026 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) continues to deliver high-stakes drama at Devon Park. In a game that will be remembered for its extreme swings of momentum, the No. 2 Texas Longhorns managed to keep their national championship defense alive with a gritty victory over the No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers.
For the majority of the afternoon, it looked as though Nebraska was headed for a historic milestone. Pitcher Jordy Frahm was delivering one of the most dominant performances in recent tournament history, keeping Texas off the scoreboard and the basepaths for over five innings.
The Heartbreak of a Near No-Hitter
Jordy Frahm didn’t just pitch; she dominated. Not only was she flirting with a no-hitter, but she also provided her own run support by leading off the game with a solo home run—making her the first player in NCAA history to record back-to-back 20-win, 20-home run seasons.
As the game entered the final stages, Frahm was just five outs away from throwing the first no-hitter at the WCWS since 2021. However, the momentum shifted violently in the top of the sixth inning. The Longhorns’ offense finally woke up with consecutive singles from Jaycie Nichols and Kayden Henry, shattering the no-hit bid and putting pressure on the Nebraska defense.
The Clutch Moment: Katie Stewart’s Power
With the tension peaking, Katie Stewart stepped to the plate. On the second pitch she saw from Frahm, Stewart launched a massive 250-foot three-run home run down the left-field line. In an instant, a dream for Nebraska turned into a nightmare, as Texas seized a 3-1 lead.
Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan shut the door in the bottom of the seventh, striking out two batters to seal the victory and eliminate the Cornhuskers from the tournament.
WCWS Tournament Standings & Next Matchups
With this victory, the Texas softball team advances to the semifinals, where they are set for a heavyweight clash against the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers on Monday.
Here is a quick look at the recent results from the bracket:
- Final: No. 2 Texas 3, No. 4 Nebraska 1
- Final: No. 1 Alabama 5, No. 4 Nebraska 1
- Final: No. 2 Tennessee 2, No. 11 Texas Tech 1 (9 innings)
Meanwhile, the tournament continues to see intense competition as No. 8 UCLA prepares to face No. 11 Texas Tech to determine the final semifinal pairing against No. 1 Alabama.
Off-Field Drama: Handshake Controversy
Beyond the diamond, the WCWS has seen its share of tension. A controversy erupted involving Texas Tech third baseman Taylor Pannell and Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly. Pannell alleged that Weekly made a disparaging comment about her transfer to Texas Tech during the postgame handshake. However, video evidence broadcast by ESPN and reporting from Holly Rowe appear to support Coach Weekly’s account, showing her simply saying “good game” to the players.
As the tournament reaches its crescendo, all eyes are now on the Texas Longhorns to see if they can maintain their momentum and secure another national title. For more official updates, visit the NCAA Softball portal.
