NiJaree Canady shone brightly during the Women’s College World Series, marking a historic moment for Texas Tech. In her 19th complete game of the season, Canady led the No. 12 Red Raiders to a 1-0 victory over Ole Miss, achieving the program’s first-ever win at the WCWS on Thursday night at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Canady’s remarkable performance included a masterful shutout, making Texas Tech the first team to pitch a shutout in its WCWS debut since 2005. During this game, she retired the first 16 batters she faced and struck out a total of 10 hitters, demonstrating her skill and tenacity on the mound. The only challenge she faced came in the sixth inning when she allowed a single to Ole Miss’s Angelina DeLeon, creating a brief two-on, one-out situation that she adeptly navigated.
The victory came thanks to Alana Johnson’s double in the fourth inning, which allowed Lauren Allred to score the lone run. Texas Tech’s streak of being the first team to score in a game now extends to 21 games, the longest active streak in Division I.
In the context of the game, Ole Miss had been deemed a “Cinderella” team after their impressive victories over higher-ranked teams but were outmatched by Canady’s skill. As Texas Tech progresses in the winner’s bracket of the WCWS, they will next face the winner of the No. 9 UCLA and No. 16 Oregon matchup.
This historic win not only highlights the caliber of players like Canady but also signals a defining moment for Texas Tech’s softball program, potentially leading to more successes in the future. The Red Raiders have proven they can compete at the highest level, and fans will be watching closely as they continue their journey in the tournament.