Texas Tech Topples UCLA in Stunning 3-1 WCWS Victory as Canady Delivers a Pitching Clinic

In a thrilling turn of events at the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), the Texas Tech Red Raiders delivered one of the tournament’s most jaw-dropping upsets, knocking off the heavily favored UCLA Bruins with a 3-1 win on Saturday night. The victory, orchestrated by an extraordinary performance from ace pitcher NiJaree Canady, catapulted Texas Tech deeper into the national spotlight and reaffirmed their place as a rising power in college softball.

Coming into the game, UCLA boasted an imposing résumé—a tradition-rich program with multiple national titles and a No. 2 seed in this year’s tournament. Meanwhile, Texas Tech entered the matchup as underdogs, unranked and largely overlooked. But none of that mattered under the bright lights of Oklahoma City. What unfolded was a masterclass in execution, grit, and fearlessness from a Red Raiders squad that had nothing to lose—and everything to prove.

The centerpiece of the night was undoubtedly Canady, whose dominance in the circle left the Bruins scrambling from the very first pitch. Over seven innings, she silenced one of the most potent lineups in college softball, allowing just three hits and striking out nine. Her mix of rise balls, off-speed deception, and pinpoint command kept the Bruins off balance all evening.

She was locked in,” Texas Tech head coach Craig Snider said afterward. “She’s the kind of pitcher who thrives in these big moments. UCLA is one of the best-hitting teams in the country, and she made them look uncomfortable. That’s special.”

UCLA, which had averaged over five runs per game entering the WCWS, looked uncharacteristically tentative at the plate. Canady, a sophomore already gaining national acclaim for her poise and power, retired the side in order in the first and never looked back. Each inning seemed to sap UCLA’s confidence just a little more.

I was just focused on executing every pitch,” Canady said postgame. “We knew they were going to be aggressive early, so I tried to mix speeds and work both sides of the plate. My defense had my back, and we made the plays we needed to.”

On the offensive side, the Red Raiders didn’t just rely on their pitcher—they backed her with timely hitting and relentless energy. The breakthrough came in the third inning when leadoff hitter Sydney Munoz roped a double down the left field line. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to third, catcher Ella Richardson delivered a clutch single to left, giving Texas Tech a 1-0 lead.

UCLA responded in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run from Maya Brady, briefly tying the game and igniting hope for a rally. But Canady clamped down once again, retiring the next six batters she faced and killing any momentum the Bruins hoped to build.

In the sixth inning, the Red Raiders struck again. With two runners on and two outs, junior third baseman Rylie Fields smashed a line drive into the right-center gap, scoring both and electrifying the Texas Tech dugout. The 3-1 lead would hold as Canady closed out the game in vintage fashion, striking out two of the final three batters she faced.

For a program like Texas Tech’s—one without a single WCWS championship in its history—the win marked a signature moment. For years, the Red Raiders have lived in the shadows of Big 12 rivals like Oklahoma and Texas. But Saturday’s win signaled a shift, a declaration that they belong on the national stage.

This group is fearless,” Snider said. “We’ve talked all year about writing our own story, and tonight they did just that. They didn’t care who was in the other dugout. They just went out and played their game.”

The Bruins, stunned and visibly frustrated, now face an uphill climb through the elimination bracket. Their veteran squad, featuring All-Americans and USA Softball Player of the Year finalists, will need to regroup quickly to avoid a premature exit from the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders advance to the next round with their confidence soaring and momentum on their side. The blend of youth, toughness, and clutch execution has turned them into the Cinderella team of the WCWS—and perhaps its most dangerous.

I’m so proud of this team,” Canady said, grinning as she clutched the game ball. “We believe in each other. We’ve worked so hard to get here, and we’re not done yet.”