Texas Tech tops UCLA, advances to WCWS semifinals

OKLAHOMA CITY -- NiJaree Canady allowed just four hits and Hailey Toney hit a tiebreaking home run in the sixth to lift Texas Tech to a 3-1 win over UCLA in the Women's College World Series on Saturday.

The Red Raiders (52-12) advance to Monday's semifinals, where they'll play either Oklahoma or Oregon, needing one win in two tries to advance to the WCWS Championship Series. The Bruins (55-12) will take on Tennessee in an elimination game Sunday, followed by Oklahoma facing Oregon.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Canady, as UCLA loaded the bases with one out in the second on a pair of walks and a bunt single.

But Canady (32-5) struck out Taylor Stephens then got Kaitlyn Terry to ground into a fielder's choice to end the threat.

After Texas Tech took the lead on Toney's home run to right in the top of the sixth off Taylor Tinsley (15-5), Canady faced the heart of the Bruins' lineup in All-Americans Savannah Pola, Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant.

But Canady quickly retired the trio in order and her team added an insurance run in the seventh on Raegan Jennings' RBI single.

Canady, who struck out seven, had allowed just two hits over the first six innings before Alexis Ramirez and Rylee Slimp started the seventh with back-to-back singles.

However, the Texas Tech star bounced back to retire three consecutive hitters to end the game.

With two outs and runners on the corners in the fifth, Texas Tech hitter Victoria Valdez took an 0-2 pitch for a ball.

Makayla Garcia broke toward home during the pitch but UCLA catcher Ramirez didn't see it, throwing the ball back to the circle as Garcia slid across for the game's first run.

The Bruins tied it in the bottom half on Kaniya Bragg's leadoff home run to right.