The Texas Tech softball team knocked off Arizona State 7-5 in the second game of the Big 12 Conference series on Saturday in Tempe to claim at least a share of the conference title for the second consecutive year.
The Red Raiders (46-4, 18-2) won the opener 6-0 on Friday and can be the outright Big 12 champs by finishing off the sweep in the finale.
NiJaree Canady settled in after giving up a pair of home runs in the third inning. Kaitlyn Terry came in and faced two batters, allowing two hits, one of which was a home run, before Canady reclaimed her spot in the circle.
Canady was nearly untouchable when she returned, sending down each of the final 10 Sun Devil batters to earn the victory. She improved to 19-3 in the seven-inning win, striking out nine batters.
The Red Raiders had the bulk of their scoring come in the third inning, the first three attributed to errors from the Arizona State shortstop. Taylor Pannel, who hit a two-run homer in Friday’s opener, added an RBI single.
Vic Valdez provided a key insurance run in the top of the seventh, recording her first hit of the season on a double that scored Desirae Spearman, who used a pair of evasive moves to avoid the tag at home plate to get another run on the board.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech softball downs ASU, clinches back-to-back Big 12 titles
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
