The Big 12 opened up on an exciting note last Friday, with No. 13 Oklahoma State (a program that has made the last five Women's College World Series) visiting No. 15 Texas Tech for a three-game series in Red Raider pitcher NiJaree Canady's conference debut. With newly added outfield seats in place, a stadium record 2,122 fans attended Friday's opening doubleheader. The crowd was not disappointed, as Texas Tech not only swept the doubleheader, but also held the Cowgirls scoreless on the night by scores of 9-0 (run-rule) and 2-0. After an off-day Saturday due to forecast inclement weather, Oklahoma State did salvage Sunday afternoon's finale, 10-1 (run-rule). As shown in the following chart, Raider coach Gerry Glasco limited Canady's innings to some extent, as she threw nine innings total out of a possible 17. This included only two innings on Sunday, during which Canady allowed five baserunners (four hits and a walk). Cowgirl ace Ruby Meylan, who did not pitch in Game 1, allowed only three runs in the 11 combined innings she pitched in Games 2 and 3.
NiJaree Canady's Stats vs. Oklahoma State
| --Game-- | --IP-- | -Hits- | -ER- | -BB- | --K-- | -Outcome- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Start) | 4.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Tech 9-0* |
| 2 (Relief) | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Tech 2-0 |
| 3 (Start) | 2.0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | OSU 10-1* |
*Run-rule (5 innings)
Over in Norman, No. 1 Oklahoma remained undefeated with a three-game sweep of previously unbeaten, No. 10 South Carolina. Though successful, the Sooners' SEC debut was not pretty, as all three wins were by one run and OU gave up 19 runs in all. The first game of Sunday's doubleheader (televised on one of the ESPN channels) featured a combined eight homers, as the Sooners prevailed 10-9.
Over in College Station, in a battle of two Top 5 teams, Florida took two of three from Texas A&M in SEC action. If you think the SEC is tough, you're right. Six of the top seven teams nationally are from the SEC (the exception being No. 5 UCLA).