Red Raiders set to host first NCAA Regional

LUBBOCK, Texas – The No. 12 Texas Tech softball team (45-12) will face No. 4 seed Brown (33-15) on Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Rocky Johnson Field in the first ever NCAA Softball Regional hosted in Lubbock.

The Red Raiders secured their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2019 after winning their first Big 12 Tournament this past weekend. The Bears are in their first NCAA Tournament since 1997 after winning their first Ivy League Tournament title in program history.

Tech is entering its seventh NCAA Regional appearance and hold a 13-12 record all-time in the postseason. The Red Raiders have a little experience against Washington – the No. 3 seed in the bracket – as they face the Huskies in the 2012 Seattle Regional, losing 2-0.

Previously in Tech softball:
The Red Raiders earned their first ever Big 12 regular season title this year after going 20-4 in league play and defended that title in the Big 12 Championship winning all three games with a run differential of 26-0 thanks to the All-Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, NiJaree Canady, who allowed just 4 hits all weekend.

NiJaree Canady is still at the top of her game. She boasts a 0.81 ERA and is 26-5 on the season. Her ERA leads the nation, and her wins are second most in program history for a season. Canady was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, unanimously, and was also a First Team All-Big 12 selection in her first year in the league.

Senior outfielder Demi Elder has been a huge lift for the Red Raiders offense since returning to the starting lineup. Since Elder's return the team is 22-3 and she has reached base safely in 23 of those 25 games.

Mihyia Davis continues to improve. The junior speedster has also been hitting for power lately, totaling a career-high five home runs to go along with 10 doubles and 6 triples while swiping 24 bases. Davis is not only a good bat, but a highlight real in the outfield as she was Big 12 All-First Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team.

The left side of Gerry Glasco's infield is played by freshmen. Hailey Toney has started every game at shortstop this season - the only freshman from a power four school to do so - while Bailey Lindemuth has played 55 of her 57 games at third base (the other two coming in the circle). Both were named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.

NCAA Lubbock Regional Schedule:

Friday
Game 1: Texas Tech vs. Brown - 4:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Game 2: Mississippi State vs. Washington - 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday
Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 1 p.m. (TV TBD)
Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 3:30 p.m. (TV TBD)
Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 6 p.m. (TV TBD)

Sunday
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 2 p.m. (TV TBD)
Game 7: If Necessary Game - 4:30 p.m. (TV TBD)

Red Raiders set to host first NCAA Regional

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Players Mentioned

NiJaree Canady

Mihyia Davis

Demi Elder

Bailey Lindemuth

Hailey Toney