Around the Bases: Feb. 8, 2025
Around the Bases is Softball America’s free daily recap of the day’s biggest games. We’ll highlight four marquee matches and run toward the plate with other notable moments.
No. 9 Texas Tech 6, No. 21 Nebraska 5
Despite high anticipation for a Nijaree Canady and Jordy Bahl matchup, Canady did not start in the circle for the Red Raiders. But, if we weren’t going to see that duel in the circle, we were surely going to see it at the plate. Bahl had been cruising through six innings with nine strikeouts, leaving Texas Tech struggling at the plate. With one swing of the bat, Canady’s three-run bomb took what was almost a shutout to a whole new ball game.
Freshman Brenlee Gonzales started on the mound for Texas Tech, and after just three batters and two runs from Nebraska, the switch was made to left-handed pitcher Chloe Riassetto. The Huskers continued with the bats and tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the fifth inning and one more in the sixth, seemingly rolling to victory. But after Canady shook up the vibe, the game slipped away from the Huskers and Bahl. With runners in scoring position and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Alana Johnson delivered the game-winning hit and allowed for a walk-off due to an error at shortstop.
No. 18 Northwestern 4, No. 8 Duke 1
It just wasn’t Duke’s day. After a gnarly 10-3 upset loss to Missouri earlier in the day, they dropped game two to Northwestern.
Lauren Boyd was dialed in on the mound for Northwestern, starting the contest tossing four strikeouts over two innings. The Wildcats found their way to the board first as Izzy Cunnea drove in a two-out RBI single. With one out and bases loaded, a walk from Boyd gave Duke their sole run, but Boyd was fired up in the third inning and put up back-to-back strikeouts.
Freshman Kaylie Avvisato continued to have a spectacular opening weekend and took the lead for the Wildcats in the third with a two-out double. A wild pitch from Sophie Garner-MacKinnon and wheels from Avvisato tacked on another run for the Wildcats.
Boyd threw a complete game and finished with seven strikeouts.
Players of the Day
Grace Matej led Utah State with 3 RBI to upset Baylor in a 6-4 victory. The win marks Utah State’s first over a ranked opponent since 2022. Right-handed pitcher Carly Limonsnero held it down on defense throwing a full seven innings with two strikeouts.
Brooke Ellestad’s three-run homer took the lead for Alabama and led the Crimson Tide to rally in the sixth inning for a 7-3 victory over Washington.
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