I don’t know about you, but that Texas Tech softball game was exhausting for me. I’m worn out.
I have no clue how the Texas Tech Red Raiders will be able to get up for two games tomorrow against the Alabama Crimson Tide. For the second straight day, the Red Raiders have gone into extra innings. For the second straight day, the Texas Tech softball team has played an incredibly stressful game in the Women’s College World Series.
But this time, the Red Raiders survived. Texas Tech is advancing. UCLA is eliminated. The Red Raiders are moving on after going back-and-forth in an intense matchup with the UCLA Bruins. Texas Tech’s offense answered just one day after the bats totally disappeared. It took nine innings, but Texas Tech was able to overcome the Bruins.
And their 8-7 win over UCLA? I mean, that’s so very different from the one-run showing in a 2-1 loss to the Tennessee Lady Volunteers. And there’s so much to be thrilled about. From the two home runs (shoutout to Jasmyn Burns and Mia Williams) to the gutsy pitching performances from NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry, this win was huge.
Texas Tech softball goes score-for-score with the UCLA Bruins to stay alive in the Women’s College World Series
Speaking of those pitching performances, Canady and Terry did such a great job stepping in and swapping spots when the Red Raiders needed a pitching change. Canady got the start, went 4.0 innings, and struck out nine batters. She did give up a half-dozen hits and five earned runs, so that’s not ideal, but this is UCLA we’re talking about. They get a ton of hits.
As for Terry, she managed to go 4.1 innings, striking out five in the process and only giving up two earned runs.
And while it’s not great that Texas Tech gave up seven runs to the UCLA Bruins, it’s worth remembering that UCLA was averaging over 10 runs per game heading into this contest and Texas Tech managed to go score-for-score with them and ultimately won in extra innings. All while still holding the Bruins below their season scoring average.
That’s certainly worth feeling good about.
Now, the Red Raiders will get the chance to move on and play again tomorrow. And if they can win their first matchup with Alabama, they’ll play again and try to beat the Crimson Tide again.
Which will also be exhausting, I’m sure. But Texas Tech is alive. There’s so much to celebrate.
Add us as a preferred source on Google