NiJaree Canady Dealing With Minor Injury Ahead of Tallahassee Super Regional

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Bryan Clinton | Last updated May 22, 2025 11:25 AM ET

NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech are set for the biggest game of their 2025 campaign, as the Red Raiders will battle Florida State in Game 1 of the Tallahassee Super Regional on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. CT.

The Seminoles are the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and enter the series as the favorite to advance to Oklahoma City, but Canady serves as the ultimate equalizer—she is, after all, the best pitcher in the country.

That, however, is assuming that she’s operating at 100%, and from reports around Lubbock, that might not be the case heading into this evening’s matchup.

David Collier, the sports director for Red Raider Nation, noted that Tech’s star pitcher had a bandage on her throwing hand during Wednesday’s workout in Tallahassee, hinting at the possibility of a blister.

NiJaree Canady had a bandage on her finger during Wednesday's workout in Tallahassee.

Here's what she said when asked if she has to be more cautious because of the blister. https://t.co/2UXqIHrzr0 pic.twitter.com/kE3XWegmWu
— A David Collier (@CollieronTV) May 22, 2025

While minor to most of us, a blister on the throwing hand can be detrimental to a pitcher, especially someone who might need to throw all three games this weekend to give her team the best chance of winning.

When asked if the blister is going to change her approach to the weekend, Canady was candid.

“Honestly, no,” she said. “I’m just gonna go out there, do my best, and just push through anything. This is where I’ve always wanted to play— just trying to get to the World Series and hoist a trophy at the end of the year. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get there, pain or not.”

So, it sounds like the Red Raiders’ ace is prepared to push through the pain and give it all for her team. How the blister will impact her effectiveness is yet to be seen, but if her showing last weekend was any indication, it might be problematic.

In five innings of work against Mississippi State on Sunday, Canady gave up a season high eight hits and six runs, with two walks and four strikeouts.

It’s not confirmed whether the blister was present at the time of that game, but if it causes issues going forward, it could be very detrimental for the Red Raiders’ chances in Tallahassee.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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