Softball star NiJaree Canady throws first perfect game for Texas Tech
NiJaree Canady, the highest paid player in college softball, threw her first perfect game for Texas Tech in the regular season finale on Saturday.
NiJaree Canady ’s college career has been littered with impressive accolades and head-turning milestones. The Texas Tech senior pitcher has led the nation in earned run average and strikeouts. She’s been named the National Player of the Year.
Last season in the NCAA Tournament and Women’s College World Series, she threw 686 consecutive pitches for the Red Raiders, earning iron-woman status. Canady has also notched several no-hitters in her career, but had never tossed a perfect game. Until Saturday.
Canady struck out nine Baylor batters in five innings and didn’t allow a baserunner in Texas Tech’s 8-0 win over their rivals in Lubbock, Texas. The victory — on senior day for Texas Tech — finishes the regular season for the Red Raiders, who clinched the Big 12 title and will be the No. 1 overall seed in next week’s conference tournament.
And for Canady, it’s another milestone that reinforces her as the sport’s best pitcher. The 6-foot right-hander from Topeka, Kansas, entered Saturday’s contest ranking sixth nationally in ERA (1. 38), fourth in hits allowed per seven innings (3.