OKLAHOMA CITY (KCBD) – Texas Tech opened the Women’s College World Series with a shutout run-rule win over Mississippi State, 8-0. The Red Raiders advance to the winner’s bracket.
Texas Tech will now wait to face the winner of Texas and Tennessee, which is set for a 2 p.m. CT start.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In a last-minute change, Gerry Glasco went with NiJaree Canady to start in the circle instead of Kaitlyn Terry.
Canady started out with a ground out before striking out the next two batters. On offense, Mia Williams was once again hit by a pitch to start the bats for the Red Raiders in the bottom of the first.
Jackie Lis then capitalized with a two-run homer to left field to go out in front of the Bulldogs early, 2-0.
Mississippi State recorded its first hit of the game to open the second inning but Canady quickly drew a popout followed by a double play to bring up the Red Raiders.
Mihyia Davis opened the Red Raiders’ side of the inning with a single. Lauren Allred doubled down the first-base line to make it, 3-0.
With one out, Lagi Quiroga drew a walk, setting up Williams with an RBI double before the inning wrapped up.
Texas Tech and Mississippi State would both go scoreless in the third and fourth innings. The Bulldogs would then be in trouble after not scoring in the fifth, giving Texas Tech’s offense the chance to finish the game – and it did just that.
Williams once again found herself on first base after being walked to open the bottom of the fifth. She moved to second following a throwing error, which would lead to Lis bringing her in for the run.
Up 5-0, Taylor Pannell reached base on a fielder’s choice, landing to two Red Raider baserunners. Terry followed it up with a single, scoring Lis and keeping two baserunners on for Texas Tech.
With the score at 6-0, Davis would hit an RBI single soring Pannell but a throwing error by the Bulldogs led to Terry not only reaching third but scoring the game-winning run in the fifth inning.
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