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The Texas Tech softball team was in a tight spot after Thursday's series opener against Arizona.
The Red Raiders came up short in a 2-1 pitcher's duel that featured all three runs being scored in the first inning. Needing to win two games in a row to keep their chances at an outright Big 12 championship, and potentially hosting a regional, Texas Tech needed to bounce back in a big way.
They did just that, taking the second game Friday in a 10-1 run-rule victory that went just five innings. Then on Saturday, Lauren Allred hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the sixth, and Demi Elder added a solo shot to push Texas Tech to a 5-2 triumph in Tucson.
Texas Tech improved to 36-10 on the season and 16-2 in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders have now won all six conference series and are in position to claim at least a share of the league crown when they host Arizona State next week.
Head coach Gerry Glasco said before the series he wasn't planning on using NiJaree Canady all three games against Arizona. That quickly went out the window.
After a complete-game effort in Friday's opener, Canady was inserted in the second inning on Friday and went the final four innings. She also pitched all seven innings in Saturday's finale.
In total, Canady pitched 17 out of a possible 18 innings, totaling 13 strikeouts, four runs (all earned) and 11 hits allowed using 305 pitches across the weekend, including 138 pitches on Saturday.
Canady improved to 19-5 on the season.
Freshman third baseman Bailey Lindemuth started the series batting eighth but was moved up to third in the order for the final two games.
In those games, Lindemuth went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI.
Leadoff hitter Mihyia Davis isn't known for her power, but she showed it off in the final two games. She led off Friday's contest with a home run and started Saturday's finale with a double to get the scoring started in both games.
Davis recorded at least one hit and a run in each game of the series.
It was a tough series at the plate for Lauren Allred overall. She scored three runs on Friday but was hitless in her first seven official plate appearances in the series.
Allred delivered in the big moment, though, hitting the go-ahead two-run shot that helped ease things for Canady in the final two innings in the circle. It was Allred's first home run in her last nine games.
Texas Tech didn't get the sweep, but it earned the series win over second-place Arizona, so the Red Raiders are still closing in on the Big 12 title.
The Red Raiders are 16-2 in league play with six games left to play. They have a five-game lead over Arizona in the loss column along with Iowa State and BYU. Next week's opponent, Arizona State, is six back.
This means that Texas Tech can secure at least a share of the conference title with one win Arizona State next week at Rocky Johnson Field. The Red Raiders can earn the outright title with at least two victories over the Sun Devils.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech softball picks up big series win over Arizona
Continue reading...
The Red Raiders came up short in a 2-1 pitcher's duel that featured all three runs being scored in the first inning. Needing to win two games in a row to keep their chances at an outright Big 12 championship, and potentially hosting a regional, Texas Tech needed to bounce back in a big way.
They did just that, taking the second game Friday in a 10-1 run-rule victory that went just five innings. Then on Saturday, Lauren Allred hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the sixth, and Demi Elder added a solo shot to push Texas Tech to a 5-2 triumph in Tucson.
Texas Tech improved to 36-10 on the season and 16-2 in Big 12 play. The Red Raiders have now won all six conference series and are in position to claim at least a share of the league crown when they host Arizona State next week.
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NiJaree Canady pitches all 3 games for Texas Tech softball
Head coach Gerry Glasco said before the series he wasn't planning on using NiJaree Canady all three games against Arizona. That quickly went out the window.
After a complete-game effort in Friday's opener, Canady was inserted in the second inning on Friday and went the final four innings. She also pitched all seven innings in Saturday's finale.
In total, Canady pitched 17 out of a possible 18 innings, totaling 13 strikeouts, four runs (all earned) and 11 hits allowed using 305 pitches across the weekend, including 138 pitches on Saturday.
Canady improved to 19-5 on the season.
Mihyia Davis, Bailey Lindemuth deliver at the plate
Freshman third baseman Bailey Lindemuth started the series batting eighth but was moved up to third in the order for the final two games.
In those games, Lindemuth went 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI.
Leadoff hitter Mihyia Davis isn't known for her power, but she showed it off in the final two games. She led off Friday's contest with a home run and started Saturday's finale with a double to get the scoring started in both games.
Davis recorded at least one hit and a run in each game of the series.
Lauren Allred starting to heat up
It was a tough series at the plate for Lauren Allred overall. She scored three runs on Friday but was hitless in her first seven official plate appearances in the series.
Allred delivered in the big moment, though, hitting the go-ahead two-run shot that helped ease things for Canady in the final two innings in the circle. It was Allred's first home run in her last nine games.
Texas Tech softball closing in on Big 12 title
Texas Tech didn't get the sweep, but it earned the series win over second-place Arizona, so the Red Raiders are still closing in on the Big 12 title.
The Red Raiders are 16-2 in league play with six games left to play. They have a five-game lead over Arizona in the loss column along with Iowa State and BYU. Next week's opponent, Arizona State, is six back.
This means that Texas Tech can secure at least a share of the conference title with one win Arizona State next week at Rocky Johnson Field. The Red Raiders can earn the outright title with at least two victories over the Sun Devils.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech softball picks up big series win over Arizona
Continue reading...
