Saturday, May 17
Lubbock, Texas
1 p.m.
Mississippi State
38-18
1
at
10
#10 Texas Tech
47-12
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Mississippi State
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
5
1
Texas Tech
2
1
0
2
2
3
10
14
1
State Falls At No. 10 Texas Tech, Will Play Elimination Game Saturday Night
May 17, 2025 | Softball
LUBBOCK, Texas – Mississippi State will need to win three consecutive games to advance to its second Super Regional after the No. 18 Bulldogs fell to No. 10 Texas Tech, 10-1, in six innings in the 1-0 game of the Lubbock Regional.
The Bulldogs (38-18, 13-11 SEC) loaded the bases in the first, but could not score until the fifth frame. That was when Morgan Stiles picked up her career-high-tying third hit of the day – all off Tech ace NiJaree Canady – to drive in Nadia Barbary.
"I think, for us, now it's about playing for our season, playing with our backs against the wall and trying to compete," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Obviously we played a very good Texas Tech team and anytime you're having to go up against a pitcher like NiJa Canady, you know it's going to be a challenge. I think we were one big hit away early on from getting some runs early, but she does a great job when her back's against the wall. It's why she's one of the best."
The Red Raiders (47-12, 20-4 Big 12) scored twice in the first on a pair of two-out singles and never trailed in the contest. Four of Tech's runs came on homers with a solo shot from Demi Elder, a two-run blast by Canady and a three-run homer from Lauren Allred.
"It's about making adjustments, not giving up those free bases and free chances. I thought we did that a little too much. Knowing that, coming into this game we were going to have to play clean in all three phases – timely hitting, strong pitching and playing clean defense. I'm not sure we really did a whole lot of that today outside of a few big clutch hits from Morgan Stiles here."
Kiarra Sells – Singled and improved to 2-for-5 in her career against NiJaree Canady.
Morgan Stiles – Matched her career high with three hits … collected her ninth multi-hit game of the year … is the only player in the country this year with three hits off Canady in one game … now 3-for-6 in her career against NiJaree Canady.
Mihyia Davis beat out an infield single to second to open the inning. She advanced to second on a ground out to second base. With two outs, Alana Johnson singled to left field, scoring Davis. Johnson advanced to second when the throw back to the infield was errant. Bailey Lindemuth singled off the diving right fielder's glove to score Johnson.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 2
Bottom 2
Demi Elder hit a leadoff home run.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 3
Bottom 4
With one out, Hailey Toney singled to left field. She was retired at second on a fielder's choice that saw Davis beat out the potential double play. Langeliers singled through the right side and took second on the throw as Davis reached third. Lauren Allred singled to right to score Davis and Langeliers.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 5
Top 5
Kiarra Sells singled to center. With one out, Sells advanced to second on a passed ball, but she was retired at third on a fielder's choice that allowed Barbary to reach and take second during the rundown. Barbary scored on Morgan Stiles' third hit of the day into centerfield.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 5
Bottom 5
Lindemuth singled to left and advanced on a wild pitch before NiJaree Canady hit a two-run homer.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 7
Bottom 6
Davis walked, and Langeliers singled to shortstop before Allred hit a game-ending three-run homer.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 10
For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
The Bulldogs (38-18, 13-11 SEC) loaded the bases in the first, but could not score until the fifth frame. That was when Morgan Stiles picked up her career-high-tying third hit of the day – all off Tech ace NiJaree Canady – to drive in Nadia Barbary.
"I think, for us, now it's about playing for our season, playing with our backs against the wall and trying to compete," head coach Samantha Ricketts said. "Obviously we played a very good Texas Tech team and anytime you're having to go up against a pitcher like NiJa Canady, you know it's going to be a challenge. I think we were one big hit away early on from getting some runs early, but she does a great job when her back's against the wall. It's why she's one of the best."
The Red Raiders (47-12, 20-4 Big 12) scored twice in the first on a pair of two-out singles and never trailed in the contest. Four of Tech's runs came on homers with a solo shot from Demi Elder, a two-run blast by Canady and a three-run homer from Lauren Allred.
Quotables
Samantha Ricketts on keys to the game ..."It's about making adjustments, not giving up those free bases and free chances. I thought we did that a little too much. Knowing that, coming into this game we were going to have to play clean in all three phases – timely hitting, strong pitching and playing clean defense. I'm not sure we really did a whole lot of that today outside of a few big clutch hits from Morgan Stiles here."
Quick Hitters
Nadia Barbary – Reached twice on a single and fielder's choice … scored State's only run.Kiarra Sells – Singled and improved to 2-for-5 in her career against NiJaree Canady.
Morgan Stiles – Matched her career high with three hits … collected her ninth multi-hit game of the year … is the only player in the country this year with three hits off Canady in one game … now 3-for-6 in her career against NiJaree Canady.
Scoring Recap
Bottom 1Mihyia Davis beat out an infield single to second to open the inning. She advanced to second on a ground out to second base. With two outs, Alana Johnson singled to left field, scoring Davis. Johnson advanced to second when the throw back to the infield was errant. Bailey Lindemuth singled off the diving right fielder's glove to score Johnson.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 2
Bottom 2
Demi Elder hit a leadoff home run.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 3
Bottom 4
With one out, Hailey Toney singled to left field. She was retired at second on a fielder's choice that saw Davis beat out the potential double play. Langeliers singled through the right side and took second on the throw as Davis reached third. Lauren Allred singled to right to score Davis and Langeliers.
No. 18 Mississippi State 0, No. 10 Texas Tech 5
Top 5
Kiarra Sells singled to center. With one out, Sells advanced to second on a passed ball, but she was retired at third on a fielder's choice that allowed Barbary to reach and take second during the rundown. Barbary scored on Morgan Stiles' third hit of the day into centerfield.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 5
Bottom 5
Lindemuth singled to left and advanced on a wild pitch before NiJaree Canady hit a two-run homer.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 7
Bottom 6
Davis walked, and Langeliers singled to shortstop before Allred hit a game-ending three-run homer.
No. 18 Mississippi State 1, No. 10 Texas Tech 10
Next Up
The Bulldogs will play the winner of the Lubbock Regional's first elimination game between Washington and Brown. State returns to the field at approximately 6 p.m. CT with the game available on ESPN+.For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X, Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: NiJaree Canady (27-5)
L: Everett, Delainey (10-2)
Batting:
RBI: Stiles, Morgan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Barbary, Nadia 1
Batting:
2B: Alana Johnson 1
HR: Lauren Allred 1 ; NiJaree Canady 1 ; Demi Elder 1
RBI: Lauren Allred 5 ; Alana Johnson 1 ; Bailey Lindemuth 1 ; NiJaree Canady 2 ; Demi Elder 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Mihyia Davis 3 ; Alexa Langeliers 2 ; Lauren Allred 1 ; Alana Johnson 1 ; Bailey Lindemuth 1 ; NiJaree Canady 1 ; Demi Elder 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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