PALM SPRINGS, California – No. 2 Texas Tech (12-1) defeated Fresno State (3-5) 12-2 in five innings on Thursday night in its opening game of the Mary Nutter Classic. The Red Raiders also faced Team Japan in an exhibition and fought hard, dropping the game 1-0.
Jasmyn Burns had a great game at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs including a grand slam as she finished with five RBI. Mia Williams and Jackie Lis went 2-for-2 as Williams hit a two-run homer and Lis recorded a pair of singles. Hailey Toney played phenomenal defense at shortstop and got her bat going with an RBI double.
NiJaree Canady improved to 5-1 on the year and after giving up two runs on two hits in the top of the first, allowed just one hit the rest of the way and struck out seven batters in a strong performance in the circle. Canady did this while battling rain, wind and cold at the beginning of the game but was able to get a rhythm and looked unhittable during the final few innings.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after a walk and a pair of singles. Tech didn’t take long to respond as Taylor Pannell delivered an RBI single in the first and Burns hit a home run in the second to tie the game at 2-2.
A Lis single up the middle gave Tech a 3-2 lead in the third inning before a nine-run fourth inning, capped off by a grand slam by Burns, broke the game open and ended it early.
Against Team Japan, none of the stats officially counted, but Kaitlyn Terry was stellar, striking out seven batters and allowing just one run on the night. Tech’s defense was exceptional in large part because of Lagi Quiroga’s plays behind the plate to eliminate Japan’s bunts – a specialty of the team. The offense was good but wasn’t able to push across a run despite having runners in scoring position on several occasions. Desirae Spearmen went 2-for-3 against Japan with a double and a single.
UP NEXT: No. 2 Tech will face Bethune Cookman tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. CT.