Red Raiders Smash Arizona State 18–0 to Earn Spot in Big 12 Softball Championship
OKLAHOMA CITY — Well, that escalated quickly.
After a calm, scoreless first inning, Texas Tech blew the doors wide open and turned Friday’s Big 12 Softball Tournament semi-final into an absolute clinic, hammering Arizona State 18–0 in a run-rule victory at Devon Park. Yes, eighteen to zero. In the semifinals. It was dominant. It was loud. And it was the kind of win that screams: “We’re ready for the championship.”
From 0–0 to Oh No
For a brief moment, it looked like we were in for a tight one. First inning? Nothing doing on either side. But then came the second, and the Red Raiders said, “Enough of that.”
Alana Johnson started the rally with a one-out walk. Then came NiJaree Canady, who’s known more for her pitching but can swing it too, smashing an RBI double to put Tech on the board. Moments later, Hailey Toney delivered a two-RBI single, and just like that, it was 3–0.
It only got worse for Arizona State from there.
The Third Inning Was Pure Madness
Honestly, if you blinked during the third inning, you probably missed something big. Texas Tech scored 11 runs. Eleven. In one inning.
It all started with a bang — literally — as Mihyia Davis launched a solo homer to right. After that? It was just a relentless blur of base hits, walks, and Sun Devil errors. The Red Raiders were patient when they needed to be, aggressive when it counted, and basically unstoppable.
By the time the dust settled, it was 14–0. And Arizona State just looked stunned.
Seven different players drove in runs. The entire starting lineup reached base. It was a complete team effort, and one of those innings that makes you do a double-take at the box score like, “Wait… how many runs?”
A Few Red-Hot Red Raiders
It’s almost unfair to single anyone out, because everyone contributed, but a few players definitely stood out:
- Mihyia Davis: The spark plug at the top of the lineup went 3-for-4 with a homer, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. She set the tone and kept the pedal down.
- Demi Elder: Quietly had a huge game — 3 hits, including a double, and 2 runs scored.
- Lauren Allred: Drove in 2, scored 2, and looked super confident at the plate.
- Alana Johnson: Another 2 RBIs to her name, adding to the chaos Arizona State just couldn’t contain.
It wasn’t just about big swings either — Tech was smart on the bases, sharp with situational hitting, and took full advantage of ASU’s mistakes.
Locked Down on the Mound
Oh, and about that defense? It was just as solid.
NiJaree Canady got the start and went 3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four. Business as usual. Then, Samantha Lincoln came in and handled the final two innings like a pro, striking out three more and keeping the Sun Devils completely off the board.
Together, they gave up just three hits, struck out seven, and walked one. A combined shutout in a semifinal game? That’s no small thing, especially against an offense like Arizona State.
And let’s give a little love to the defense, too — clean, quick, and only one error in five innings of play.
On to the Championship
With the win, Texas Tech moves on to Saturday’s championship game, where they’ll take on the winner of Arizona vs. Iowa State. And after a performance like this, you’d be hard-pressed to bet against the Red Raiders.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a message. A statement. Whatever cliché you want to use — it fits. Texas Tech came out with fire, kept the pressure on, and made it very clear they aren’t just happy to be here. They came to take home the trophy.
No matter who they face Saturday, one thing’s for sure: Tech’s bats are hot, the pitching is locked in, and they look like a team on a mission.
