NiJaree Canady leads talented Texas Tech softball transfer class
The Red Raider program appeared to be on the ascend despite narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament this past season. Then head coach Craig Snider unexpectedly took an assistant position at Tennessee. And yet, things are more than fine in Lubbock. Gerry Glasco was hired from Louisiana and put together the incredible Texas Tech softball transfer class.
Simply landing Softball America Pitcher of the Year NiJaree Canady would’ve been enough of a splash to make an impact. Glasco also brought over part of his Louisiana roster that hosted a regional last season including speedster Mihyia Davis. The Red Raiders also signed Lauren Allred (Louisiana), Makayla Garcia (UT Tyler), Alana Johnson (Washington), Alexa Langeliers (Louisiana), Katie Lott (Oklahoma State), Chloe Riassetto (Louisiana) and Victoria Valdez (Louisiana).
Find out where the future Red Raiders stand in the Softball America Transfer Portal Rankings
NiJaree Canady
It’s hard to put Canady’s talent into words. She didn’t necessarily carry Stanford to the final four the past two seasons by herself, but she’s had the most impact of any single player on a team’s success. Canady can get Texas Tech to the Women’s College World Series next season and the following season with her right arm alone.
READ: Texas Tech NIL collective to pay NiJaree Canady upwards of $1 million
The most impressive part of Canady’s season last year was her growth from an incredible freshman season. Her ERA remained under one despite throwing nearly 100 more innings. She developed a devasting changeup that paired with her electric rise ball.
According to Synergy Sports, Canady created 607 swing-and-misses (32% of her pitches) last season. Canady’s changeup only accounted for about 10% of her pitchers but produced whiffs nearly half the time. While everyone loves her rise ball, Canady pitch chart shows that she can collect a strikeout in any quadrant with any of her pitches.
Chloe Riassetto
As much as people griped about the Stanford offense, Canady lacked support in the circle this past season. She threw just about every high-pressured pitch in the postseason. Texas Tech is hoping to avoid that. Chloe Riassetto will likely be the biggest part of that.
The rising junior took a huge step forward last season. In 134 innings last season, she had a 2.56 ERA, 15 wins and eight saves. This success was after only throwing 33 innings as a freshman. Glasco felt more than comfortable using her as a closer, evident by the eight saves. Even if that’s her role with Canady, it’s a huge bonus to everyone.
Riassetto doesn’t strike out a ton of batters. She predominantly uses a curveball from the left side to induce weak contact. Opposing batters hit ground balls 47% of the time when the ball was put into play. Riassetto helped Louisiana lead the nation with 46 double plays last season with her ability to batters to roll over balls in key moments. The Ragin Cajuns turned 12 double plays with Riassetto in the circle last season.
Mihyia Davis
The Texas Tech lineup will look completely different than it did a year ago. Only Demi Elder (123 at-bats), Logan Halleman (88 AB) and Raegan Jennings (113 AB) return to the roster. The 2024 freshman signing class includes seven freshmen, four being batters. Glasco gets to mold the offense how he wants.
If you’re the type that bets, Mihyia Davis likely heads to center field. Davis was the Sun Belt Player of the Year last season. She is arguably the fastest player in the game and her speed creates headaches for defenses. She hit .419 with nine doubles and three triples. That was a decent jump from her .357 mark during her freshman year.
Davis ‘only’ stole 23 bases last season after her 52 swipes led the nation in 2023. Her speed makes her an incredible defender in center and her ability to reach nearly every ball. It wouldn’t be shocking if the starting outfield in Lubbock is Davis, Halleman and Elder.
Alexa Langeliers
While Davis brings the speed, Langeliers brings the power. The rising senior had her best year average wise as a freshman (.370) and has had back-to-back years with an average under .300. However, she adds to the offense with her 35 career home runs.
Her home runs have come off a variety of pitches. She’s shown that she can handle high velocity and the off-speed. Langeliers hitting chart of her home runs can be found below via Synergy Sports.
Langeliers has spent time at shortstop, second and third base. Her versatility will benefit the team as they figure out the lineup.
Lauren Allred
Allred likely slots in at first base for the Red Raiders. The biggest question for her is how she will respond in 2025 after missing most of last season with a back injury.
Allred was arguably the Ragin’ Cajuns’ best bat in 2023. She had a .375 batting average, five doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and finished the season tied for the lead with 47 RBI. Her smooth lefty swing makes her power look easy. Most of Allred’s home runs came in the inside corner of the strike zone, the sweet spot for a lot of lefties with a similar swing to her.
Victoria Valdez
Valdez was the primary catcher during her time in Louisiana. The right-handed hitter hit nine home runs and drove in 36 runs last year in a breakout season. She has pop in her stick but her most important contribution will likely be helping get the three freshmen arms Brenlee Gonzales, Samantha Lincoln and Bailey Lindemuth to help take a load off of Canady. Valdez will also need to be the glue for Canady, similar to what Aly Kaneshiro was for her at Stanford.
Alana Johnson
Johnson is coming off a great sophomore season at Washington. Johnson ended up being one of the best home run hitters in the Pac-12 last year. She hit 13 homers along with nine doubles, 40 RBIs and .336 batting average, a significant jump from her freshman season.
Johnson had 66 more at-bats in 2024 than in 2023 and still had fewer strikeouts. She handled velocity better this past season. Johnson had a .423 average, 1.483 OPS and five home runs against rise and fastballs last season, all better numbers than 2023.
Her position will be very interesting. Johnson played right field last season for the Huskies and played it really well. However, she’s a natural infielder and pushed Rylee Holtorf for the shortstop spot in Seattle at one point. Her bat will be in the lineup regardless of her position.
Katie Lott
Lott is another player that could be in the outfield. The Oklahoma State transfer was seen as a potential starter before the 2024 season but it never came together. Although Lott has hit well at times when presented with the opportunity. Despite her numbers being down in 2024, Lott batted .370 as a freshman in 54 at-bats. She was primarily a pitch hitter that came through in big spots.
Makayla Garcia
Garcia, a Lubbock native, returns home after a season at UT Tyler. And that one year was a good one. Garcia was Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year and helped UT Tyler win the DII Women’s College World Series this past season. Garcia flies out of the left-handed batter’s box, leading to a .362 in 130 at-bats.
Glasco mentioned Garcia adding to the middle infield depth but she also played in the outfield at UT Tyler. If she produces on offense, he’ll find a spot for her.
Canady will always give a team a chance to get to the Women’s College World Series. This potentially could be the best lineup she’s had around her. The road from Lubbock to Oklahoma City sure looks a lot shorter.
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