No. 2 Texas Tech softball rolled past Fresno State 12-2 behind Jasmyn Burns’ two HRs and NiJaree Canady’s 7 Ks at the Mary Nutter Classic.
No. 2 Texas Tech softball wasted no time making a statement in California.
The Red Raiders (12-1) powered past Fresno State 12-2 in five innings Thursday night to open play at the Mary Nutter Classic, using a barrage of home runs and a lockdown effort in the circle to end things early.
Jasmyn Burns was the headline act. The slugger went 2-for-3 with two home runs, including a towering grand slam that highlighted a decisive fourth inning. Burns drove in five runs total, flipping the game on its head after Tech fell behind early.
Fresno State (3-5) scratched across two runs in the first inning, but that momentum didn’t last long.
Taylor Pannell answered with an RBI single, and Burns launched her first homer of the night in the second to even the score.
From there, the Red Raiders never looked back.
Jackie Lis continued her hot start at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a key RBI single that gave Tech the lead for good. Mia Williams matched her with a 2-for-2 effort and crushed a two-run home run.
Hailey Toney delivered both with her glove and bat, flashing elite defense at shortstop and ripping an RBI double.
In the circle, NiJaree Canady improved to 5-1 on the season.
After surrendering two runs in the opening frame, the ace settled in and allowed just one more hit the rest of the way.
She struck out seven and dominated despite battling cold, wind and rain early in the contest.
Tech also squared off with Team Japan in an exhibition matchup, falling 1-0 in a tightly contested battle. Kaitlyn Terry struck out seven, while Desirae Spearmen went 2-for-3.
Next up: Bethune-Cookman at 12:30 p.m. CT.