The Intentional Walk That Cost Texas Tech Game 1

Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series may go down as one of the most pivotal—and puzzling—openers in WCWS history. What looked like a routine intentional walk attempt turned into the game’s defining moment, flipping the outcome and putting Texas one win away from its first national title.

With Texas Tech holding a narrow 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, two Texas runners stood on base. All-American pitcher NiJaree Canady had dominated through 5 2/3 innings. But when Reese Atwood stepped to the plate, Texas Tech chose to issue an intentional walk—a strategy that backfired in a dramatic way.

On a 3-0 count, Canady floated a pitch that never got far enough off the plate. Atwood, an experienced hitter despite her recent struggles, didn’t hesitate. She hit it through the middle for a two-run single, putting Texas ahead 2–1—a lead they held onto for good.

It wasn’t just a breakdown in execution—it was a lapse in judgment. The catcher was set up far too close to the strike zone, and the pitch lacked the elevation and distance to clearly signal “unhittable.” Any pitcher will tell you—an intentional walk has to look intentional. This one didn’t, and Texas made them pay for it.

After the game, Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco was candid: “We don’t practice intentional walks.” It showed. Canady admitted it was the first time she’d ever been asked to execute one. “That’s no excuse,” she added. “I made that mistake. I think that loss is on me.”

But Canady wasn’t the only one at fault. Intentional walks need teamwork between the pitcher, catcher, and coaches. If they aren’t practiced, things can go wrong—and this one did, in front of millions.

The WCWS is not always won by power. Sometimes it is the fundamentals that can change the series. Texas made the plays. Texas Tech made the mistake.

Game 2 is approaching, and if Texas Tech seeks redemption, it will require more than just heart—it will demand discipline.