After a scoreless first inning, top-seeded Texas Tech erupted offensively to dominate Arizona State 18–0 in a run-rule victory during the Big 12 Softball Tournament semifinals at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Friday.
The Red Raiders’ offensive onslaught, highlighted by an 11-run third inning, propels them into Saturday’s championship game, where they will face the winner of the Arizona vs. Iowa State semifinal.
Offensive Explosion
After a scoreless opening frame, Texas Tech’s offense exploded in a way that left no doubt about who belonged in Saturday’s championship game. The Red Raiders broke things open in the second inning with a three-run burst, sparked by a one-out walk from Alana Johnson, which led to an RBI double from NiJaree Canady. Then, Hailey Toney added two more with a two-RBI single that made it 3-0, and put pressure on Arizona State early.
But it was the third inning that turned this semifinal into a rout.
Texas Tech batted around—and then some—scoring 11 runs on 10 hits, one walk, and multiple defensive miscues by the Sun Devils. Mihyia Davis got things started off with a solo shot to right, and the Red Raiders never looked back from there. Eight singles, a double, a walk and two errors later, Tech had strung together a mix of power, patience, and pure chaos to build a 14–0 lead.
They added four more in the fourth for good measure, and continued to apply pressure with aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Every player in the starting lineup reached base at least once, and seven different Red Raiders drove in at least one run.
It was the kind of inning—and the kind of offensive statement—that championship teams make.
Standout Performances
- Mihyia Davis: The leadoff hitter went 3-for-4, including a home run, with three RBIs and three runs scored.
- Demi Elder: Contributed three hits, including a double, and scored twice.
- Lauren Allred: Drove in two runs and scored twice, showcasing her power at the plate.
- Alana Johnson: Added two RBIs, contributing to the team’s offensive dominance.
Pitching and Defense
On the mound, Texas Tech’s pitching staff combined for a three-hit shutout, effectively stifling Arizona State’s offense. After a one-hit performance over three innings from Canady, the Red Raiders turned to Samantha Lincoln to close out the game, and she did just that. Together, Canady and Lincoln combined for seven strikeouts, one walk, three hits, and a scoreless showing against a good Arizona State offense. The Red Raiders’ defense remained solid throughout, committing only one error and preventing any scoring opportunities for the Sun Devils.
Looking Ahead
With this commanding victory, Texas Tech advances to the Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday. They will face the winner of the semifinal matchup between Arizona and Iowa State. The Red Raiders aim to continue their impressive tournament run and secure the conference title.
