After knocking off Ole Miss in their WCWS opener, Texas Tech now turns its attention to a college softball blueblood: UCLA.
The Bruins are the only program in college softball history with more national titles than Oklahoma, and they still hold a distinct advantage in that department, with 13 Championships to just eight for the Sooners.
History, however, won’t impact the outcome of this game, but it could certainly be made if the Red Raiders are able to move to 2-0 in bracket play. Tech will square off with the Bruins in a high-stakes winner’s bracket matchup on Saturday, May 31, at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
It’s the kind of opportunity that can turn a breakout run into a historic one.
UCLA Brings the Brand—and Firepower
This isn’t just another game—it’s Texas Tech vs. one of the most decorated programs in the sport. UCLA enters with a 55-11 record and moved into the winner’s bracket after a dramatic win over Oregon in the early hours of Friday morning. UCLA took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning but saw it squandered when an obstruction call at the plate allowed the Ducks to draw even at two runs apiece. However, it proved to be the Bruins’ night, with senior Jessica Clements sending a two-out, two-run shot into the bleachers in her first-ever game at the Women’s College World Series.
UCLA is talented, experienced, and balanced in all aspects of the game, ranking 10th nationally in ERA (2.45), batting average (.344), and fielding (.978). They’re led by Jordan Woolery (23 HR) and Megan Grant (25 HR) at the plate, while the trio of Taylor Tinsley (2.42), Kaitlyn Terry (2.54), and Addisen Fisher (2.59) have split duties in the circle.
Texas Tech Brings Confidence—and Canady
UCLA might be softball royalty, but Texas Tech won’t be intimidated. The Red Raiders haven’t trailed in a single game since the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, and have been the first team to score in each of their last 21 games. NiJaree Canady looks to have taken her game to another level, as she’s always done this time of year—as Tech has held opponents to one or fewer runs in five of six tournament games, and just one run total in their last three games. Over her last three games, Canady has gone 21.0 IP, allowing seven hits, one run, two walks, and recording 17 strikeouts, including a WCWS-high 10 strikeouts against Ole Miss.
Her dominance has the Red Raiders’ defense playing excellent ball, too, with no errors in the Tallahassee Super Regional and another errorless game against the Rebels on Thursday night. When they avoid mistakes on defense, this team is nearly impossible to score on. That, combined with an opportunistic offense, makes Tech one of the most dangerous teams in this field.
What’s at Stake
A win would push Texas Tech into the WCWS semifinals with a 2-0 record and put them just one win away from clinching a national championship series berth. A loss would drop them into the elimination bracket, where things get tougher fast. There, they would face the winner of Florida and Tennessee, with the loser going home and the winner now having to defeat either Oklahoma or Texas twice on Monday.
Prediction
UCLA is built very similarly to Florida State. They’ve got the ability to score multiple ways and their circle is void of a true ace, but they’ve got plenty of very capable arms. The one difference between the Bruins and Seminoles is that UCLA plays excellent defense, while Florida State ranks outside the top 100 in fielding percentage.
We’ve seen the pressure of facing NiJaree Canady get to teams from the beginning of her career at Stanford. When it’s so difficult to get runs across, defenses tend to press when Tech’s offense pushes the pace on the base paths. With a distinct advantage in the circle, it’s hard to pick against the Red Raiders—even if it’s been proven that “Bruin Magic” is a real thing.
I’m taking Texas Tech to win, 2-1. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.
