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NiJaree Canady shines again, Texas Tech punches first ticket to WCWS

by: Tara Henry05/23/25
Screenshot 2025-05-23 at 2.47.57 PM
Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics

The Red Raiders sent NiJaree Canady back to the circle for Game Two after she threw just 79 pitches in Thursday’s complete-game victory—and she delivered again. Canady tossed a second consecutive complete-game victory, leading Texas Tech to a historic win. With the 2–1 victory, Texas Tech advances to its first-ever Women’s College World Series.

Mihyia Davis led off with a soft slap to shortstop and advanced to second on a throwing error by Isa Torres. Alexa Langeliers laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. Lauren Allred was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the corners. Alana Johnson then delivered a sacrifice fly to score Davis, giving the Red Raiders an early 1–0 lead.

In the top of the second, Shelby Mackenzie rolled a changeup back up the middle and beat the throw for the first hit of the game. Wacaser followed with a hard-hit ball to center that reached the warning track but was caught.

Texas Tech threatened again in the third when Langeliers ripped a single that chased FSU starter Julia Apsel. After a fielder’s choice at third, Jazzy Francik entered in relief with two outs. The rookie shut the door, striking out Johnson on the outer half to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, another infield single was followed by an error at short putting runners on first and second for pinch hitter Logan Halleman. After being warned for taking too long to enter the box, she worked a 2–2 count but struck out on a floating rise ball outside. Toney then slapped a single to third to load the bases, but Davis lined out to second to end the threat.

In the fifth, Hallie Wacaser roped a double to left-center. Pinch runner Addie Delong advanced to third on a wild pitch. Canady worked out of the jam with a strikeout and a flyout to end the inning.

A controversial moment followed in the bottom of the inning: a base hit up the middle led to another Red Raiders run. The runner collided with Torres at shortstop, but no interference was called. The outfield was slow to get the ball in, allowing the runner to score and extend Texas Tech’s lead to 2–0.

Florida State did not go down without a fight. Katie Dack drew a leadoff walk and Michaela Edenfield hit a bloop single to right field that allowed both to advance to second and third. The Seminoles scored on a ground ball to shortstop to cut the lead in half but Canady induced back-to-back fly outs to take the series.

Backed by solid defense and timely hitting, Canady slammed the door once again—her second shutout in as many days—clinching the program’s first-ever trip to the Women’s College World Series.

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