In a remarkable display of skill, NiJaree Canady led No. 12 Texas Tech to a thrilling 3-0 victory over No. 5 seed Florida State in the NCAA Tallahassee Super Regional opener on Thursday night at JoAnne Graf Field. Canady not only delivered an impressive two-hit shutout, but she also contributed offensively with a solo home run in the seventh inning.
Canady (29-6) was dominant in the circle, maintaining a perfect game until the fifth inning when Florida State (49-11) finally produced two base runners with one out. However, Canady escaped the situation unscathed, bolstered by a spectacular catch from teammate Demi Elder and recorded one of her four strikeouts in the game. Florida State managed only two hits, limiting their scoring opportunities and putting a halt to their offensive momentum.
This shutout was Canady’s sixth of the season and part of a recent trend for the Red Raiders (49-12) as they have achieved five shutouts in their last seven games since the Big 12 Championship. Texas Tech has demonstrated defensive prowess throughout the season, leading the NCAA with 25 total shutouts among their 49 wins.
Canady’s efforts were complemented by a strong offensive performance from the Red Raiders. The game started on a high note with Mihyia Davis hitting a single and later scoring on a double steal, giving Texas Tech an early 1-0 lead. The success continued with Alana Johnson’s solo home run in the fourth inning, which marked her second in the postseason and ninth of the season, and resulted in Florida State’s starter Ashtyn Danley being replaced after allowing two runs.
Texas Tech’s lineup showed significant depth, with Davis, Alexa Langeliers, and Hailey Toney all contributing to the team’s total of eight hits. Davis notably went 2-for-4, while Langeliers and Toney both tallied 2-for-3 efforts.
As the Red Raiders approach a historic moment in their program’s history, they now stand just one win away from their first-ever berth in the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. With game two of the three-game series scheduled at 2 p.m. CT on Friday and live coverage available on ESPN2, excitement is building for the possibility of Texas Tech making history on the national stage.
This season exemplifies Texas Tech’s growth and resilience, marking an enticing chapter in the program’s legacy and providing a hopeful outlook for their future endeavors.