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Texas Tech’s ace — the reigning USA Softball Player of the Year and 2025 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year — threw a two-hit shutout as the Red Raiders defeated the Wildcats 4-0 in the tournament title game Saturday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

Canady, who transferred to Texas Tech last summer and became college softball’s first $1 million player, was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She allowed four hits in 16²�³ innings as the Red Raiders became the second team to win the Big 12 Softball Championship without giving up a run.

“Greatness,� first-year Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco said of Canady during a postgame interview on ESPN. “Same thing every day. You see it every day in practice.

“She knows how to approach the game. She knows how to get better. ... She’s never satisfied. She’s relentless in her pursuit to perform better. It’s fun to be around.�

Saturday’s victory greatly enhances Texas Tech’s chances to host an NCAA regional. The bracket will be revealed during the selection show at 4 p.m. Sunday.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s status didn’t change much. The Wildcats as of Saturday afternoon. They were expected to be a host entering the Big 12 Softball Championship, and reaching the title game solidified their case that much more.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (45-11) did lose three of four against Texas Tech (45-12), so the Red Raiders could nab a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. They moved from 19th to 18th in RPI.

“I like our résumé,� said Glasco, who led Texas Tech to its first Big 12 softball crown. “We’re finishing up the season (winning) 22 out of our last 25 games, 22-3 down the stretch. We’re a much better ballclub.

“The RPI is deceptive because there’s a couple losses in there where NiJa wasn’t playing; she was out with injury. ... They’re going to see that, and they’re going to know that when they look at our record.

“I think we’re going to be up closer to eight than we are to 16, but that’s just my opinion.�

There was no disputing who the best player in the Big 12 Softball Championship was. Canady proudly displayed a championship belt she received from conference commissioner Brett Yormark after the game.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s pitching strategy for the title game left head coach Caitlin Lowe and pitching coach Christian Conrad open to second-guessing.

Left-hander Ryan Maddox got the start in the circle against Texas Tech’s lefty-heavy lineup. The redshirt freshman has had her moments this season, but she hasn’t been nearly as effective as veteran right-handers Devyn Netz and Miranda Stoddard.

Maddox cruised through the first inning, retiring the Red Raiders in order. She ran into trouble in the second.

Bailey Lindemuth led off with a single and reached third base via a pair of wild pitches. After Canady drew a one-out walk, Victoria Valdez singled to center to give Texas Tech a 1-0 lead.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ secured the second out via a fielder’s choice, setting up a favorable matchup against No. 9 hitter Hailey Toney. But the left-handed-hitting Toney was able to swat an up-and-away pitch over Dakota Kennedy’s head in left field for a two-RBI double. Mihyia Davis followed with a single to right to make it 4-0.

Those were the only runs the Red Raiders would score and the only runs they’d need. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ put two runners on base in the fourth inning via a bunt single by Kennedy and a walk drawn by Sydney Stewart. But Canady struck out Kaiah Altmeyer to extinguish the threat.

The Wildcats again put two runners on in the sixth as Kennedy drew a walk and Regan Shockey beat out a chopper for an infield single. That brought Netz, the Big 12 Player of the Year, to the plate. She hit a one-hopper to Canady, who initiated an unconventional 1-5-3 double play. Lowe challenged the out call at first base, but it was upheld.

Canady retired the side in order in the seventh. She finished with eight strikeouts. Asked afterward what was working for her, Canady said:

“I feel like a lot of things were, honestly. I give it all to my team yesterday, just being able to get a lot of runs. I only pitched a little yesterday, so I felt really fresh going into this game. All credit to them for just giving me basically a day off.�

Texas Tech advanced to the championship game by run-ruling ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State 18-0 in the semifinals Friday. Canady threw just 53 pitches across three innings.

While Canady experienced little, if any, stress vs. ASU, Netz had to be at her best in the quarterfinals and semifinals to push ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ into the title game. She threw 5â…” innings in both contests, and that could be a reason she didn’t pitch vs. Texas Tech.

Stoddard relieved Maddox in the third inning and pitched the rest of the way without allowing a hit.