Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady pitched a complete-game shutout – surrendering just two singles in the sixth inning – against Ole Miss (42-20) on Thursday night, and the No. 12 seed Red Raiders defeated the Rebels 1-0 in both teams’ opener at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. It’s the first appearance in the WCWS for both programs.
Canady, who entered the game as the nation’s ERA leader at 0.89, was perfect through the first 5 1/3 innings until senior Angelina DeLeon hit a single up the middle in the sixth. Canady struck out 10 batters and did not issue a walk. Binford, making her first start on the mound in more than a month, gave up an unearned run in the fourth inning and surrendered just four hits overall. Both teams were hitless through three innings, with Texas Tech’s only two base runners coming via hit-by-pitch and walk.
The Red Raiders (51-12) broke up Binford’s no-hit bid with one out in the fourth on Lauren Allred’s single. In the very next at-bat, Alana Johnson drove in the game’s lone run by way of a double and fielding error. An obstruction call at third and an infield single loaded the bases later in the inning, but Binford fielded a grounder and started an inning-ending double play.
DeLeon broke up Canady’s perfect game with one out in the sixth, which was followed up by a single from junior Taylor Malvin. Canady managed to get out of the inning unscathed, however, with a strikeout and popout. She struck out the side in the seventh to end the game.
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