Texas Tech entered the 2025 Big 12 softball tournament in Oklahoma City as the favorite to win the event. The Red Raiders left as the champion.
Texas Tech followed up its Big 12 regular-season title with a conference tournament championship, knocking off Arizona 4-0 Saturday at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park.
The Big 12 championship is the first in program history. It completes a remarkable turnaround for a remade, transfer-heavy Red Raiders roster that has lifted the program to new heights after Texas Tech went just 8-16 in Big 12 play last season.
The Red Raiders were carried by star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who gave up just two hits and struck out eight in a complete-game shutout. Canady allowed only two balls to be hit to the outfield, both of which were popouts.
All of Texas Tech’s offensive production came in a four-run fourth inning highlighted by a double from freshman Hailey Toney that brought home two runs. Victoria Valdez and Mihyia Davis also had RBIs in that inning.
The Red Raiders wrap up their regular season at 45-12 overall while Arizona dropped to 45-11. Both teams entered the Big 12 tournament ranked in the top 15 of the USA Softball poll, putting them both in contention to host a regional during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The tournament selection show will air on Sunday night.
Here’s a look at the score, updates and highlights from Texas Tech’s win:
Big 12 softball championship score
This section will be updated live
Big 12 softball championship updates
Texas Tech wins Big 12 softball championship
The Big 12 softball champion in the regular season has repeated the feat in the league’s tournament.
Behind seven shutout innings from NiJaree Canady, who struck out eight batters, Texas Tech defeats Arizona 4-0 for the first Big 12 softball championship in program history.
The Red Raiders and Wildcats will now await where they end up in the 2025 NCAA Tournament during Sunday night’s NCAA selection show.
Double play ends Arizona threat
For the second time in three innings, Arizona was able to get two runners on base, but yet again, it came up empty.
With runners on first and second and only one out in the sixth inning, Devyn Netz hit a grounder back to NiJaree Canady, who threw it to Bailey Lindemuth at third, who was able to get it back to first to throw out Netz just in time for the rare 1-3-5 double play to end the inning.
The Wildcats challenged the out call at first, but it was upheld after review.
Arizona leaves two on base
The Wildcats were able to do some damage against NiJaree Canady in their second time through the lineup, getting a single and walk to put runners on first and second with two outs in the fourth inning.
Canady was able to escape the jam, though, striking out Kaiah Altmeyer to end the inning and keep Arizona scoreless. Canady now has four strikeouts through four innings.
Arizona makes pitching change
Facing a four-run deficit, Arizona makes a pitching change after the second inning, pulling starter Ryan Maddox and inserting Miranda Stoddard.
Maddox, a freshman, gave up four hits and four earned runs in two innings while walking one, striking out none and throwing a wild pitch.
Four-run second inning gives Texas Tech big early lead
After going down in order, Texas Tech comes through with a huge second inning, putting four runs across the plate for a 4-0 lead.
With runners on first and third with one out, Victoria Valdez singled to center, bringing home one run.
Two batters later, and with two outs and runners on first and third, Hailey Toney doubled off the left field wall to bring home two more runs and advanced to third on an errant throw. Mihyia Davis responded immediately with another run, singling to right to bring Toney home.
With NiJaree Canady pitching the way she is, the Red Raiders may already have an insurmountable lead heading into the third inning.
Scoreless first inning between Texas Tech, Arizona
Six up and six down for Texas Tech and Arizona, both of which fail to get a runner on board, in the first inning.
Texas Tech softball lineup
Here’s a look at the lineup Texas Tech will bring out against Arizona in the Big 12 championship game:
CF Mihyia Davis
LF Demi Elder
1B Lauren Allred
3B Bailey Lindemuth
RF Alana Johnson
DP Brenlee Gonzales
C Victoria Valdez
2B Raegan Jennings
SS Hailey Toney
NiJaree Canady is pitching
Arizona softball lineup
Here’s the lineup Arizona will put out against Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game:
LF Dakota Kennedy
CF Regan Shockey
1B Devyn Netz
C Sydney Stewart
RF Kaiah Altmeyer
DP Emily Schepp
SS Tayler Biehl
3B Jenna Sniffen
2B Kiki Escobar
Ryan Maddox is pitching
Big 12 softball championship time today
Time: Noon ET
Date: Saturday, May 9
Location: OGE Energy Field at Devon Park (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
The first pitch of the 2025 Big 12 softball tournament championship game is scheduled for noon ET on Saturday, May 9 from OGE Energy Field at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Watch the 2025 Big 12 softball championship live with Fubo (free trial)
Where to watch Big 12 softball championship
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The 2025 Big 12 softball tournament championship game will air on ESPN.
Streaming options for the show include the ESPN app and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.