Texas softball jumped on Texas Tech early Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series, forcing a surprising decision.
Right-hander Kaitlyn Terry got the start but a Katie Stewart home run and a couple of singles made Red Raider coach Gerry Glasco turn to NiJaree Canady. But the All-American also struggled in the circle early and allowed two more hits for Texas to jump to a 5-1 lead.
Texas Tech Gerry Glasco talk to his pllayers during game three of the NCAA Women’s College World Series against the Texas Longhorns at Devon Park on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman)
Canady retired three straight batters in the second inning but did not return in the third. That meant Glasco, in his second year as Red Raiders’ head coach, pulled both of his prized transfers to begin the three-game series.
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“I can’t afford to leave NiJaree out there in a 5-1 game, I got to save her for tomorrow,” Glasco said on the ESPN broadcast.
Sophomore Samantha Lincoln opened her time in the circle with a walk but got out the next three Longhorns.
Glasco has rotated between Terry and Canady throughout the WCWS. NCAA softball rules allow players, even pitchers, to sub out and return to the game only once.
Terry is an All-American transfer from UCLA and has pitched 148 innings and 172 strikeouts. Canady, who came to Tech from Stanford before the 2025 season, has 249 strikeouts on 182⅓ innings pitched. She was also the second pick in the AUSL Draft and was selected by the Texas Volts.
The decision could loom large in a series in which all three games are played on consecutive days.