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NiJaree Canady leads Texas Tech to Game One Tallahassee Super Regional win

by: Tara Henry05/23/25
Screenshot 2025-05-22 at 7.12.56 PM
Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — NiJaree Canady made history on Friday, throwing a two-hit shutout to lift Texas Tech to its first-ever Super Regional win with a 3–0 victory over Florida State. The Red Raiders are now just one win away from punching their ticket to the Women’s College World Series.

Moments before the first pitch, head coach Gerry Glasco reminded his team to have fun — a message that resonated immediately.

Texas Tech struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on a defensive miscue during a first-and-third situation. Leadoff hitter Mihyia Davis reached on a bounced slap single over Florida State pitcher Ashtyn Danley’s head, between the middle infielders who were unable to make the play. A single by Alexa Langeliers and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners.

With Davis on third, a throwdown to second skipped past second and into center field, allowing Davis to score easily and give Tech a 1–0 lead.

From the outset, Canady was pounding the zone. The All-American retired the first six batters she faced, mixing three strikeouts with three flyouts. When Florida State hitters appeared to catch up to her velocity, Canady adjusted with devastating changeups to keep them off balance.

In the top of the third, Texas Tech briefly threatened when Hailey Toney ripped a double down the right-field line. However, she was thrown out trying to stretch it to third on a flawless relay from the outfield — a key defensive stop that appeared to give the Seminoles momentum.

In the top of the fourth, Alana Johnson doubled the lead with a solo shot to deep center.

Florida State didn’t reach base until the fifth inning when Michaela Edenfield drew a leadoff walk. A flyout and a seeing-eye single to the right side by Shelby McKenzie broke up Canady’s no-hit bid, but the junior ace responded by inducing a pop-up and firing a strikeout to escape the inning.

Canady added an insurance run in the seventh with a solo blast to right field — a no-doubt shot that gave Texas Tech a 3–0 cushion and put an exclamation point on her all-around performance.

In the circle, she tossed a complete game, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out five. Even more impressive: she threw just 79 pitches, with an astonishing 75.9% of them going for strikes.

By the Numbers

  • 5-for-7: Red Raiders’ leadoff hitters reached base five times in seven innings.
  • 79: Total pitches thrown by Canady in a complete-game shutout.
  • 1: Number of wins Texas Tech now needs to clinch its first-ever trip to the Women’s College World Series.

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