The Texas Longhorns simply dominate star softball pitcher NiJaree Canady. Even in the pros. Texas Ex Reese Atwood hit two home runs off Canady in her professional debut in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.
Atwood, who plays for the Carolina Blaze, took on the Texas Volts at Smith Family Stadium on the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina. Canady has recently joined the Volts, whose home is the Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
Atwood’s first homer off the former Texas Tech Red Raider and Stanford Cardinal was a long two-run homer that traveled some distance over the center field wall. It was Atwood’s first professional hit.
The second home run was a solo-shot over the left field wall in the sixth inning to put the game one run from the mercy-rule. The Blaze got another run in the inning to end the game early. Canady was making her pro debut in relief.
Atwood was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 AUSL Draft by the Blaze in May. Canady was the No. 2 pick in the draft, behind Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who is also on the Blaze.
NiJaree Canady was 0-5 in her College World Series career against Texas. She was 0-2 against UT at Stanford and 0-3 at Tech.
Atwood faced Canady several times at the WCWS. The most memorable was in 2025, when Canady’s intentional walk attempt ended with Atwood 2-run single in the opening game of the 2025 Women’s College World Series championship series. Atwood was 5-for-19 with a home run, five RBIs and five walks against Canady in her college career.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Former Longhorns still dominate NiJaree Canady, even in pro softball
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
