Softball On SI

NiJaree Canady Dominates as Texas Tech Blanks Ole Miss at WCWS

Sarah Person|
Texas Tech starting pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates a strikeout in the first inning during game 3 between Texas Tech and Ole Miss at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Texas Tech starting pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates a strikeout in the first inning during game 3 between Texas Tech and Ole Miss at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NiJaree Canady pitched lights out, throwing a complete game with 10 strikeouts and only allowing two hits to lead Texas Tech to it first-ever WCWS win with a 1-0 shutout of Ole Miss.

It was a defensive battle all night between Canady and Ole Miss's Aliyah Binford as the game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning.

That's when the Red Raiders finally broke through offensively with Alana Johnson ripping an RBI double to score Lauren Allred. With bases loaded with just one out, Texas Tech was looking to extend the lead, but Raegan Jennings grounded into a double play, ending the inning.

It looked like Canady was going to have a perfect game, retiring the first 16 batters she faced, but the Rebels broke through with back-to-back singles in the top of the sixth.

Canady bounced back with authority, striking out the side in the top of the seventh inning to give Texas Tech the historic WCWS win. She credited her team after the game for pulling out the win.

"I think just being able to play together and rely on each other is what makes us good," Canady said on the broadcast.

Head coach Gerry Glasco spoke after the game on Canady's performance.

"She's an amazing competitor. But when she came up out of the bullpen before the game, I said Tara (Archibald), how's NiJa look? She goes, 'She's bringing it.' Then Vic (Victoria Valdez) came by me, and she goes, 'Don't worry about NiJa, she's on.' So I thought when Tara and Vic gave me that report, I knew she must have been special in the bullpen."

More News: Easton Partners with NIL Stars NiJaree Canady, Bri Ellis for Historic WCWS Bat Launch

More News: How Patty Gasso’s Coaching Evolution Led Oklahoma Back to the WCWS

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Sarah Person
SARAH PERSON

Sarah Person was born and raised in Nebraska and has lived there her whole life. She is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in sports media and broadcasting. She did everything during her time at UNL, including writing, anchoring, broadcasting, and photography. Sarah has had a lifelong passion for sports and is excited to continue that passion through her work for Softball on SI.

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