News Summary
Texas Tech softball made history by defeating Mississippi State in the Lubbock Regional championship game. This victory enables the team to move on to the Super Regionals for the first time, highlighting a stellar performance throughout the tournament. NiJaree Canady excelled as a pitcher while Hailey Toney contributed significantly with two home runs. The team, boasting an impressive record, is now set to face Florida State, aiming for a spot in the NCAA College World Series.
Lubbock, Texas — Texas Tech softball made history on May 18, 2025, by defeating Mississippi State 9-6 in the championship game of the Lubbock Regional. This victory marks the first time in program history that Texas Tech has advanced to the Super Regionals of the NCAA tournament.
The decisive game took place at Rocky Johnson Field, where Texas Tech showcased a powerful performance, improving their record to an impressive 3-0 in the Lubbock Regional. The team now prepares for a best-of-three series against Florida State, with only two wins needed to reach the NCAA College World Series in Oklahoma City.
NiJaree Canady led the Red Raiders on the mound, improving her season record to 28-5. Over five innings, she allowed three runs on eight hits, while recording four strikeouts. Her performance was instrumental in ensuring Texas Tech’s advancement in the tournament.
Offensively, Hailey Toney took center stage, hitting home runs in both the fourth and sixth innings of the championship game, contributing significantly to the team’s scoring. The Red Raiders had earlier set the stage for their victory by defeating Mississippi State 10-1 in a prior match on May 17, 2025. This win solidified Texas Tech’s position in the championship round of the regional.
Mississippi State had managed to stay alive in the tournament by overcoming Washington in an elimination game, winning 11-10 before facing Texas Tech. This came after the Bulldogs suffered a loss against Texas Tech the previous day, putting them against the wall before their final attempt in the Lubbock Regional.
The championship game was part of a competitive weekend schedule that included a total of six matches held from Friday through Sunday. Throughout the tournament, Texas Tech displayed a strong team dynamic and impressive skill, dominating their opponents in each contest.
With their recent success, the Red Raiders have generated excitement within their community and among their supporters, as they stand on the brink of making more program history. Transitioning to the Super Regionals represents not just a significant milestone for the team, but a testament to their hard work and determination throughout the season.
The upcoming Super Regional series against Florida State will challenge Texas Tech to continue this momentum in their pursuit of the prestigious NCAA College World Series title. This is a momentous occasion for Texas Tech softball, reflecting their growth and potential as a competitive force in collegiate athletics.
Fans can follow the games in the Super Regionals, which will be available on ESPN+, a subscription-based streaming service. With this advancement, Texas Tech softball stands as one of the top teams in the nation, eager to further prove themselves on the national stage.
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Additional Resources
- Lubbock Online: Texas Tech vs Mississippi State Live Updates
- ESPN: Texas Tech vs Mississippi State Game Details
- Texas Tech Official Athletics: First Super Regional
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State vs Texas Tech Live Updates
- Everything Lubbock: Red Raiders Advance to Super Regionals
- Wikipedia: NCAA Softball Tournament
- Google Search: Texas Tech softball
- Google Scholar: Texas Tech softball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Softball
- Google News: Texas Tech softball
