Texas Tech Silences Baylor 4-0, Punches Ticket to Big 12 Semifinals

It’s been a season of firsts for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, and on Thursday, they added another milestone in Oklahoma City.

With a 4-0 win over Baylor in the Big 12 quarterfinals, Tech moved one step closer to claiming its first-ever Big 12 Tournament title—and looked every bit like the No. 1 seed while doing it.

Here’s what stood out most from another dominant postseason performance:

NiJaree Canady Delivers Another Gem

There’s dominant, and then there’s what NiJaree Canady has done in the postseason over her first three seasons. The Big 12 Pitcher of the Year turned in another jaw-dropping outing, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with 13 strikeouts and no walks allowed. She retired the final 13 batters she faced and never gave Baylor a hint of momentum.

With Canady, it’s not just about the strikeouts—it’s the poise, the control, and the aura with which she controls a game. Baylor came in with a few heavy bats, but Canady had them guessing from the jump. Her performance wasn’t just dominant—it was a message to the rest of the field: if you want that trophy, you’ll have to go through her.

Offense Sets the Tone Early, Then Capitalizes Again

Texas Tech’s offense did its part, too, as the Red Raiders didn’t waste time applying pressure. After a leadoff single from Mihyia Davis, Tech plated two runs in the first inning to seize control and play loose the rest of the way.

In the fourth, Tech added two more insurance runs—this time capitalizing on a Baylor error and a timely RBI single from freshman Bailey Lindemuth, who continues to deliver in key spots. It wasn’t an offensive explosion, but it didn’t need to be. When you’ve got Canady in the circle, a few timely swings and solid baserunning will do the job just fine. Under Gerry Glasco, this team has found an identity: elite pitching, aggressive baserunning, and timely production from a lineup that’s steadily grown more dangerous.

The Red Raiders have never won the Big 12 Tournament trophy, but given the current trend, they may not have to wait much longer.

Baylor’s Tournament Hopes on Life Support

Baylor had reason to believe it could play spoiler in OKC, but Thursday’s showing left more questions than answers. The Bears were held to just one hit and never seriously threatened, stranding their lone baserunner early and going quietly the rest of the way.

Now sitting at 27-27, the Bears find themselves firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble, and despite their late-season surge, probably haven’t done enough to warrant an at-large bid. Standouts like Shaylon Govan and Presleigh Pilon have kept Baylor competitive, but the lack of offensive firepower and overall consistency could be tough for the selection committee to overlook.

It’s been a disappointing season for the Bears, as they began the season ranked in the Top 25 and were expected to be one of the main contenders for a Big 12 title. Now, after just one win over a middling Kansas squad, BU has to hope that it’s done enough to be one of the 32 teams who proved they belong in the field of 64.

Texas Tech improves to 43-12 and will now take on Arizona State on Friday, with the winner moving on to Saturday’s Championship final.