By Anthony Lewis
On Wednesday night the Texas Tech Red Raiders softball team fell short of the
ultimate goal of winning the National championship, but that does take away from the
journey that this team has been on for the last 2 years.
Coming off his first season as Texas Tech head coach in 2024 Jerry Glasnow
knew something had to change after a 29-21 overall record (8-16) in the big 12. That
change came July 24, 2024, on the form of All American, softball player of the year
junior pitcher NiJaree Canady. The $1 million NIL deal was a recorded breaker and
instantly turned the national spotlight on the Red Raiders. The $1 million investment
quickly paid dividends the very next season the going 54-14 (20-4 in big 12 play)
finishing the regular season ranked #2 and ultimately reaching the rubber match of the
championship series before losing to the Texas Longhorns. The 2025 season showed
that Canady was a great foundation, but the team would need more around here to get
back to the championship.
So, what did Texas tech do? Bring in the number 1 ranked transfer class in 2025.
Adding 3 All Americans in Mia Williams, Taylor Panell, and Jasmyn Burns. As well as
due it all Kaitlyn Terry, CUSA player of the year Desire Spearman, MVC Most Valuable
player Jackie Lis and others. Replacing 8 of the 9 starters in their lineup.
Loaded with a deeper roster thanks to some deeper pockets and the transfer
portal the Red Raiders had another stellar season going 61-10 (21-3 in big 12) not really
seeing much adversity until the regionals of the playoff when the team stormed back
from 8-0 and down to their last out against Ole Miss. 10 runs and an extra inning later
Texas Tech walked off the field with a historic victor and a spot in the winners bracket of
regionals where they road that moment to super regionals. In the super regionals they
would go on to play the Florida Gators in a very chippy 3 game series where tech would
win their first elimination game convincingly 16-7.
After the test of regionals and super regionals it was time for the final exam which
is the “greatest show on dirt” the Women College World Series. Things started off
smooth beating Mississippi state 8-0 putting them in the winners bracket to start the
tournament. Another SEC foe awaited in the form of the Tennessee Volunteers
spearheaded by pitcher Karlyn Pickens. She Kept the Tech bats quiet on the way to a 2-
1 win over the Red Raiders in extra innings. Now every game for Texas Tech will be
elimination game until the championship series. Backs against the wall these young
ladies responded to every challenge. First, beating the record setting offense of UCLA
8-7 in another extra inning contest. Followed by 2 wins against the number 1 team in
the country Alabama to set up the rematch of the 2025 championship series against the
Texas Longhorns.
Texas proved to be the better team winning the first 2 games of the series not
leaving anything to chance with a potential game 3. Making the Red Raiders once again
National runner ups. Was that the goal? of course not, but I do believe that if you look at
the attention and fans that Texas tech has put on the program and softball as a whole
these 2 years have been a huge success. In 2024 the team average 507 people per
game. In 2025 that number went up 160% and the season tickets sold out in what is
called the “Canady effect.” Glasnow has been quoted saying “it’s like traveling with the
Beatles.” Even my 10 year old daughter will be changing her number to 24 in the fall
and has no problem telling people she is a Red Raider.
All in all, the ending of this season may have not been storybook but, this isn’t
the end. Just the beginning or what looks to be a long success run in Lubbock when it
comes to softball. With a willingness to spend money in NIL and already deep returning
class they till surely be in the mix next season
