THE GOAT SHOW: NiJaree Canady Makes HISTORY:—
Texas Tech’s junior pitching sensation NiJaree Canady etched her name into the annals of college softball history this week at the Women’s College World Series — delivering the first CWS no‑hitter since 1960 and shattering the strikeout record with an astounding 19 punch‑outs.
On May 29, in Oklahoma City’s Devon Park, the Stanford-transfer turned Texas Tech ace took the circle and delivered perfection. Facing off against a formidable opponent, Canady retired every batter she faced — issuing zero hits, zero walks, and zero runs — recording a flawless no‑hitter, the first seen in the CWS since the legendary accomplishment in 1960. Along the way, she struck out 19, eclipsing the previous single‑game NCAA postseason strikeout record.
Her dominance was immediate and unmistakable. By the end of the first inning, Texas Tech’s bats had already taken the lead — leaving Canady free to turn her full attention to the circle . Over her career, Canady has become synonymous with elite performance: at Stanford she twice tossed no‑hit games (including an 18‑K night), and led the nation in ERA and strikeouts before transferring .
For Texas Tech and the softball world, the moment is seismic. Known affectionately as “GOAT Show,” Canady already had a staggering résumé: national pitcher of the year honors, a $1 million NIL deal, and back‑to‑back dominant seasons . But these latest feats — in the pressure cooker of the CWS — elevate her to all‑time great status.
Social media quickly exploded. From r/CollegeSoftball threads to TikTok highlights, fans crowned her the GOAT, celebrating what might be the signature moment of her collegiate career .
Even Texas Tech legend Patrick Mahomes chimed in, tweeting his admiration for Canady’s brilliance — further cementing her status at the top of the sport .
As the season progresses, questions abound: Can this historic performance inspire a championship run? Will she go pro — or redefine international softball dominance? One thing is certain: NiJaree Canady has rewritten the record books, and no one in college softball — or beyond — will forget THE GOAT SHOW.