Tech softball has a big weekend in its first showing as the consensus number one team in the country, as they take on the Clearwater Invitational. Texas Tech begins the Invitational against a top ten team, Florida State. Projected time is 12 pm on ESPN2 on Thursday. Also on Thursday, Texas Tech takes on Northwestern, projected start time 5 pm.
On Friday, the Red Raiders face another ranked team in number 23 FAU, projected time 3 pm. Saturday, the Red Raiders have another double header against Nc State project time 12 pm, and JMU, projected time 3.30 pm. Finally, the Red Raiders close out the Invitational against top 10 Nebraska on ESPN at the projected time of 5 pm.
Key Games Breakdown:
Florida State:
Fellow undefeated Florida State has come out swinging to start the year. They give up 2 or fewer runs in 5 or 6 games to start the year, and the exception to that is a game where they run-ruled Iowa 12-3. Their pitching staff is led by star Jazzy Francik, who has pitched 17 scoreless innings to start the year, along with 18 Ks.
Their offense is led by Isa Torres and Marin Heller. Torres was a preseason All-American who is leading the Seminoles with a batting average of .524. Marin Heller is another weapon who is leading the team with 16 total bases, has a batting average of .476, and 4 stolen bases. Her ability to get on base and steal bases makes her a threat at all times.
FAU:
The second-ranked matchup on the schedule for the Red Raiders is the FAU Owls. The Owls were not ranked to start the year but have climbed in after starting the season, but with 3 wins over Big Ten teams in Ohio State, Indiana, and Wisconsin, they now sit at 23 in the ranking.
This balanced offensive has scored 8 or more runs in 3 of the 5 games so far, with four Owls players hitting above .5oo on the young season. They also have a pair of pitchers in Mackeena Lee and Autumn Courtney, who have been dominant in almost 20 innings of combined work; they have only allowed 3 runs and have had 23 Ks.
Nebraska:
In the final game of the invitational on ESPN, Texas Tech takes on fellow Softball powerhouse Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are coming off a weekend where they split two games with the former number one-ranked team, the Texas Longhorns, as well as splitting with a top 25 team, the Washington Huskies.
Hannah Camenzind and Jordy Frahm play both ways; they both hit extremely well with a batting average of .5oo and .429. Camenzind leads the team with 9 hits. On the mound, Frahm is a strikeout machine with 20 strikeouts in 15 innings of work, while Camenzind has assisted with 5 innings of relief work. Jesse Farrell provides some extra power and juice offensively as she is one of 4 players with 2 homeruns while also hitting .429.
Texas Tech starting pitcher/relief pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) celebrates with catcher Victoria Valdez (13) after pitching a complete game shutout during an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Mississippi, Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Oklahoma City. Texas Tech won 1-0. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis)
Red Raiders Softball:
The number one in the country has been dominated on the pitching side, in addition to superstar NiJaree Canady. Kaitlyn Terry has had an incredible start to the season with 16 strikeouts in only 8 innings of work with .84 era. She is also hitting .636 in 11 at-bats. Samantha Lincoln has the second lowest era on the team with a 1.40.
Mia Williams leads the Red Raiders in homeruns batting average, and rbi to start the year, slashing a whopping .688 3 home runs, and 13 rbi in 6 games played this year. Mihyia Davis is also an offensive beast, hitting .588 with 1o hits and 5 rbis.
If the Raiders want to remain the number one team in the country, they’ll need strong pitching from. The trio of previously named stars, as well as some constant hitting late in games from Davis and Williams, similar to how they closed out the Aggies this past weekend.
