The Texas Tech softball team waited out a lengthy weather delay and put on an offensive clinic to punch a return ticket to the Women’s College World Series by downing Florida 16-7 in Game 3 of the Gainesville Super Regiona.
The Red Raiders bounced back after a rough Game 2 and utilized a unique pitching substitution patter with NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry and got five home runs in the run-rule victory.
Jackie Lis and Taylor Pannell each hit two home and Mia Williams one that ignited the Texas Tech dugout in what was a fiery game across the board. Florida head coach Tim Walton got ejected in the bottom of the 5th inning.
A 2-1/2 hour weather delay waylaid into a 7-7 game through two innings. Canady and Terry combined to shut down the Gators and help the Red Raiders return to Oklahoma City.
The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal brought you live coverage of the game. Here’s what happened.
Texas Tech softball vs Florida in Super Regional Game 3 live score updates
3:50 p.m.: Final, Texas Tech softball is headed to the Women’s College World Series with a 16-7 run-rule victory.
3:41 p.m.: Florida head coach Tim Walton has been ejected from the game.
3:37 p.m.: It’s run-rule territory for Texas Tech softball leading 16-7 going to the bottom of the 5th.
3:12 p.m.: Gracious that was a wild sequence but the result is NiJaree Canady gets the strikeout to leave the bases loaded. Texas Tech softball up 13-7 going to the 5th.
2:59 p.m.: Taylor Pannell hits her second HR of the game, the first multi-HR game of her career, and Texas Tech softball leads 13-7 going to the bottom of the 4th.
2:48 p.m.: For the first time today, a zero is put on the scoreboard as Florida goes down in order. Texas Tech softball up 11-7 through 3.
2:42 p.m.: It’s another 4-run inning as Jackie Lis hits a 3-run bomb, her second of the game, and it’s 11-7 Texas Tech softball.
2:32 p.m.: Taylor Pannell goes yard and Keagan Rothrock is being pulled, Texas Tech softball up 8-7, 0 outs in top 3rd.
2:27 p.m.: We’ve played 2 innings, had 14 runs scored, 4 home runs hit and more chaos than a Sunday can stand.
2:24 p.m.: Ava Brown ties the game with a 3-run home run. Canady back in to pitch again.
2:18 p.m.: Gerry Glasco not taking any chances. NiJaree Canady gets pulled after a leadoff single and a walk. Kaitlyn Terry back in to pitch.
2:12 p.m.: Jackie Lis hits a two-run home run and Texas Tech softball leads 7-4 going to the bottom of the 2nd.
2:00 p.m.: Florida doesn’t want to hit Mia Williams again and Williams hits a two-run home run to put Texas Tech softball back in front.
1:53 p.m.: Canady needs just one pitch to get the final out. We finally head to the 2nd inning, Texas Tech softball down 4-3.
1:33 p.m.: 20 minutes until the restart. We left off in the bottom of the 1st with 2 outs and Florida holding a 4-3 lead and a runner on 2nd base against Texas Tech softball. NiJaree Canady was set to start pitching before the stoppage in play.
1:22 p.m.: We have an estimated restart time of 1:55 p.m. Central.
12:51 p.m.: We’re at about an 80-minute delay and we’re likely to be here for quite a while longer. Stay tuned.
11:35 a.m.: We now have a weather delay with lightning spotted in the area. We will be back.
11:33 a.m.: Florida has scored four runs, all with 2 outs, and NiJaree Canady is coming in to pitch for Kaitlyn Terry.
11:19 a.m.: Texas Tech softball is amped and making Florida pay, scoring a trio of runs, two off a single from Jasmyn Burns for the early lead.
11:06 a.m.: Mia Williams has now been hit by 5 pitches in this series.
10:37 a.m.: Kaitlyn Terry gets the start for Texas Tech softball. Keagan Rothrock will once again go after pitching all 7 innings in Game 2 for Florida.
What channel is Texas Tech softball vs Florida in Super Regional on today?
The Texas Tech softball game vs Florida will air on ESPNU. The game can also be streamed on ESPN Unlimited, which requires a subscription.
Texas Tech softball vs Florida in Super Regional time today
The Texas Tech vs Florida game starts at 11 a.m. from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Watch Gainesville Super Regional softball on ESPN Unlimited
Gainesville Super Regional
Texas Tech vs Florida — Best of 3 series
Game 1: Texas Tech 10, Florida 8 (Texas Tech leads 1-0)
Game 2: Florida 10, Texas Tech 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Sunday, 11 a.m. (ESPNU)
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech softball routs Florida to return to Women’s College World Series
Reporting by Nathan Giese, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
