Texas Tech Upsets UCLA, Advances to Semifinals of WCWS

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Texas Tech continued its strong performance in the Women’s College World Series with a 3-1 victory over UCLA on Saturday evening. This win allows Texas Tech to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history.

In a tightly contested game, Texas Tech took control in the fifth inning. Makayla Garcia, running for NiJaree Canady after her double, made a bold move to steal home, putting the Red Raiders on the board with a 1-0 lead. The play caught UCLA off-guard as the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher.

The Bruins answered quickly in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run from Kaniya Bragg, tying the game at 1-1. But Texas Tech regained the lead in the sixth inning when Hailey Toney hit a two-out home run, giving the Red Raiders a 2-1 advantage.

With momentum on their side, Texas Tech added another run in the seventh inning from Raegan Jennings’ clutch RBI single. The Red Raiders maintained their lead as NiJaree Canady secured two critical strikeouts in the bottom of the sixth.

Canady pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and striking out seven batters. “It feels amazing,” Canady said. “Just this being our first time here as a team and being able to get to the semifinals, it’s a huge accomplishment by itself. But we’re not finished. We’re going for the whole thing, like every other team here.”

Now holding a 2-0 record at the WCWS, Texas Tech (52-12) will face the winner of Sunday’s elimination game between Oklahoma and Oregon. The semifinal match is set for Monday at 6 p.m. Central Time.

Meanwhile, UCLA must regroup quickly as they will play Tennessee in an elimination game on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. The loss marks a disappointing chapter for the Bruins, who hold a record 33 appearances in the NCAA tournament.