Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady and Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl Honored at WCWS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady has been named the 2025 Pitcher of the Year, while Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl received the Player of the Year award, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced Wednesday during the Women’s College World Series press conference in Oklahoma City.

This recognition marks the first time both Canady and Bahl are being honored with these awards. Canady, a unanimous first-team All-American for the second consecutive year, excelled in her junior season with the Red Raiders, leading the team to its first trip to the Women’s College World Series. This season, she recorded an impressive 30-5 overall record and a 0.89 ERA, both of which are the best in NCAA Division I.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized, especially with the history of this award,” Canady said. “I am just grateful for my teammates and coaches who have supported me through this journey.”

In 205 innings pitched, she struck out 279 batters and achieved an outstanding .153 opponent batting average. Canady becomes the first student-athlete to repeat as Pitcher of the Year since the award’s inception, although Rachel Garcia of UCLA won the award multiple times in different categories.

Bahl made an impressive comeback this season after a serious injury sidelined her in 2024. She was pivotal in leading Nebraska to the Super Regionals as an unseeded team. Bahl is noted for being the first player in Big Ten history to secure both Player and Pitcher of the Year honors in the same season.

“Returning to play was challenging, but I was determined to help my team succeed,” Bahl said. “Receiving this recognition is truly humbling.”

She ended the season with a remarkable 26-8 record, a 1.56 ERA, and 286 strikeouts. Bahl also made history by being one of five Division I players to hit 20 home runs and win 20 games in a season.

The awards are voted on by selected members of the NFCA Division I All-American Committee, which includes one head coach representing each of the NFCA’s 10 regions.

In addition to the honors this year, the Player and Pitcher of the Year awards aim to celebrate the outstanding achievements among softball student-athletes.