The Texas Tech Red Raiders women’s softball team rallied on May 16 from an eight-run deficit to defeat Ole Miss in extra innings and advance to the NCAA Regional Championship game.
This comeback is significant because, since 2000, no team had won after trailing by eight or more runs in postseason play. The Red Raiders’ victory marks the first time a team has overcome such a margin, breaking a record of 0-640.
Seven Texas Tech players recorded hits during the game. Jasmyn Burns led with three hits and one run batted in, while Lauren Allred went two-for-three, including a grand slam that tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jackie Lis contributed with a two-run home run and drew three walks. Pitchers NiJaree Canady and Samantha Lincoln combined for seven strikeouts as Canady secured her 23rd win of the season. The team’s defense did not commit any errors across fifteen chances.
For most of the game, Ole Miss held control with early home runs and strong pitching from Emilee Boyer. However, Texas Tech began its comeback with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when Kaitlyn Terry singled for an RBI, followed by Lis’s home run to narrow the gap. Burns, Mia Williams, Taylor Pannell, and Desirae Spearman kept momentum alive before Allred’s grand slam tied it at eight apiece.
Ole Miss briefly regained the lead in extra innings before Texas Tech responded again. Burns tied it up once more with an RBI single before Pannell hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Lis for the winning run.
The Red Raiders will face either Ole Miss or another opponent next at 3 p.m., with television details yet to be announced.
