Sports

Why Didn’t Texas Tech Softball Shake Hands After National Championship Loss?

by Last Updated

Brett Rojo-Imagn Images


The Texas Tech softball team fell to Texas in the Women’s College World Series Finals on Thursday night. The Red Raiders did not immediately shake hands with their opponents.

Viewers noticed that players remained in the dugout after the final out, particularly those of rival fanbases. Some alluded to it being a sign of disrespect.

Was it poor sportsmanship or is there a reason the niceties were scrubbed?

Texas Tech softball did not shake hands with Texas.

The Longhorns are national champs. They won Game 1 by a score of 7-3. It made Game 2 an elimination situation for the Red Raiders.

Like in the opener, Texas Tech grabbed an early lead. Texas then battled back to gain control and leave with a win.

The Longhorns plated two runs in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. They added to it with two more in the seventh to leave with a 4-1 victory.

The win secured Texas a second national championship in as many years. The loss ended Texas Tech’s season. Players did not greet one another immediately after the final pitch.

Was it poor sportsmanship?

In short, no, although opposing fanbases attempted to paint it as so.

A similar scene played out at the 2025 national championship. The moments that followed the last out were reserved for a title celebration.

Texas Tech players stayed in the dugout while the Longhorns had their moment. Texas was swarmed by media as they hoisted the trophy.

A few Red Raiders later came out to congratulate their opponent for a job well done. There were no hard feelings.

The narrative of disrespect was largely created by fanbases that saw Texas Tech swipe their players last offseason. In particular, Tennessee and Florida.

The Vols became upset at the WCWS with a false claim from former player Taylor Pannell that coach Karen Weekly mocked Pannell for her transfer.

The Gators were angered following a super regional loss in which Florida was criticized for not shaking hands after elimination.

In that case, Texas Tech appeared to line up for the ritual. Florida did not leave the dugout, citing the series’ high tensions.

The backlash is largely overblown. It’s sour grapes from disgruntled rivals. The handshakes were scrapped but Texas Tech did congratulate Texas on the win.

A number of Red Raiders came onto the field after the celebration to hug Longhorns. Some took photos. Many have histories of playing alongside one another dating back beyond their time in college.

Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco confirmed that the NCAA informed both sides that there would be no postgame handshake.

We were told by NCAA during pre tournament meeting that there was to be no handshake after the Championship Game in order that the winning team could celebrate! Congratulations to an outstanding Texas team and their coaches and administrators.

–Gerry Glasco / Facebook

The outrage is manufactured. Texas Tech did what others would’ve in the same situation. They just happen to have a target on their back with fans upset with how they’ve accumulated talent.