Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady Faces Crucial Game 2 After Heartbreaking Loss
NiJaree Canady, a standout pitcher for Texas Tech, has made significant strides since her transfer from Stanford, including securing an NIL deal exceeding $1 million. Her contributions have led the Red Raiders to unprecedented achievements: clinching the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles, along with a coveted spot in the Women's College World Series.
Despite her accolades, including being named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's Pitcher of the Year for two consecutive years and leading the nation with 33 wins and a 0.94 ERA, one goal remains elusive—a national championship. The path to that title became steeper after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Texas in Game 1 of the championship series, where Canady relinquished a late lead.
In that game, Canady threw 88 pitches but is currently managing a soft tissue injury in her left leg, which has hindered her practice time since preseason. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about her readiness for Game 2 on Thursday.
"I'm fine," Canady expressed, though her tone reflected disappointment. "I have all summer to rest. I'm ready to play softball."
The turning point in Game 1 came when Canady's pitch intended for an intentional walk allowed Texas' Reese Atwood to make contact, resulting in the game-winning runs during the sixth inning. This moment put the Longhorns just one victory away from their first national title.
Atwood acknowledged the opportunity presented by Canady's pitch. "Props to NiJa, because she definitely kept us real tight throughout that game," she remarked. "She's a great pitcher. I saw my opportunity and I took it."
Throughout the World Series, Canady has been the sole pitcher for the Red Raiders. However, Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco has not confirmed her starting position for Thursday's game, citing concerns for her long-term health. He noted that Canady's competitive nature might prevent her from fully disclosing her condition.
"If you know NiJa, she's not going to complain, she's not going to tell you," Glasco stated. "We'll have to really dig, and hopefully the trainer can get her to communicate enough that he'll get a good assessment. I want to win, but also I want to be sure we leave this season healthy for the future."
Despite these concerns, Glasco is confident in Canady's ability to perform under pressure. Her competitive spirit was a key factor in his decision to recruit her when he took over as head coach this season.
Canady is no stranger to high-stakes situations; she previously led Stanford to the national semifinals in back-to-back seasons and was instrumental in Texas Tech's recent victory over four-time defending champion Oklahoma.
"As far as NiJa tomorrow, if you've got to pick a pitcher in America to come back and win two games in a row with—I'll take NiJa," Glasco affirmed. "If anybody can do what we need to do to come back, I'm thrilled to have NiJa do it."
