On Friday morning, Texas Tech outlasted Florida 10–8 in Game 1 of the Super Regional in a game built almost entirely on response for each team. The Red Raiders struck first after being held scoreless through the first three innings. They exploded for a four-run fourth that flipped the tone of the game. Hailey Toney, Lagi Quiroga, and Mia Williams all drove in runs in that stretch, extending innings and amplifying damage.
Lauren Allred provided the first major separation with a three-run homer in the fifth that pushed Texas Tech into a 6–1 lead and briefly suggested control. But control in this game was never permanent. However, Florida seemed to answer in waves throughout the game.
The Gators first gained some ground with a three-run counterpunch before delivering their biggest surge in the sixth inning with a four-run inning. Florida went back-to-back with home runs, turning an 8–5 deficit into an 8–8 tie in a matter of minutes to fully re-engage the home crowd and shift the pressure back onto Texas Tech.
But the Red Raiders didn’t even break a sweat. In the top of the seventh, former Florida Gator Mia Williams delivered the defining moment of the game, launching a two-run home run that cleared the left-center bullpen area, putting Texas Tech back in front 10–8. That swing ultimately decided the entire game.
From there, Texas Tech closed out the victory behind composed pitching and timely defense, with NiJaree Caanady striking out the leadoff batter to seal the win.
In the end, it wasn’t about who scored first, it was about who kept answering after every counterstrike. Texas Tech did just enough of that to take a 1–0 series lead and move one step closer to Oklahoma City. Game 2 will be on Saturday, May 23, at 11:30 a.m. CT.
This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Mia Williams powers Texas Tech past Florida in Game 1 of Super Regional
Reporting by Lauren Beasley, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
