Glasco explains – Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco explained the sharp pivot that pulled NiJaree Canady mid-game in the Women’s College World Series final—framing it as a move to protect Game 2 flexibility after Canady allowed early damage in Game 1.
OKLAHOMA CITY — College softball fans watching Texas Tech’s ace tandem get shuffled like a deck of cards on Wednesday, June 3, at Devon Park looked for rhythm. They didn’t get it.
Kaitlyn Terry started, but was quickly relieved by NiJaree Canady midway through the first inning after Canady surrendered a two-run homer to Texas slugger Katie Stewart. Canady then gave up three more runs in the bottom of the first, before settling down in a shutout second inning.
Then. with the game tilting toward Texas. Glasco pulled Canady to open the third inning and replaced her with Samantha Lincoln. ending Canady’s outing for the day. Texas went on to win Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series final. 7-3. after jumping out to a six-run advantage in the opening inning.
After the loss, Glasco didn’t defend the move with soft language. He said the decision was about tomorrow—specifically the best-of-three series and Game 2.
“Thinking about tomorrow,” Glasco said, referencing Game 2 of the best-of-three series. “We got two games. and I felt like I was going to give our offense the second and third inning to respond. and if we didn’t get anything I didn’t feel like I could leave (Canady) out there and let (Texas) look at her.”.
Lincoln’s relief mattered for more than the immediate inning. It was her first appearance in the circle for Texas Tech since a May 23 Super Regional loss at Florida. Monday night. she threw 3.1 innings. allowed two runs. and struck out one batter before being replaced by Terry in the bottom of the sixth inning.
On the season, Lincoln is a sophomore with a 7-0 record in 25 appearances and 67 strikeouts. Last year against Texas in the WCWS, Lincoln pitched three innings of shutout ball and struck out four batters.
Glasco said the decision to bring Lincoln in was also tied to what he believed she could deliver against Texas, and to the opportunity to accelerate her World Series experience.
“I just felt like it wasn’t a smart move for me to leave (Canady) out there in that moment. and it was a good opportunity to get Sam out. because she had good success against Texas last year in the final. ” Glasco said. “She’s worked really hard and I’ve been wanting to get her some World Series experience all along. So, I wanted to see what she could do and I thought she was outstanding tonight.”.
That “tomorrow” focus lands on high stakes for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have not lost in back-to-back games all season, but they now need a victory on Thursday to stave off elimination.
For Canady, the workload question is particularly personal. This marks the fourth consecutive season she has pitched in the World Series. first making the trip with Stanford as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to Texas Tech. This season. Canady has a 1.87 ERA. a 29-6 record. and 250 strikeouts—numbers that help explain why Glasco’s early-game timing drew scrutiny from viewers.
But he also suggested his substitution wasn’t about doubting Canady’s talent. It was about what the opponent might learn if she stayed in too long.
Taken together. the sequence from Canady’s first-inning damage to the abrupt swap to Lincoln. and then the explanation centered on Game 2. shows how quickly a single inning can force a coaching plan to change—especially in a best-of-three series where “tomorrow” isn’t a concept. it’s the next deadline.
After Game 1, Canady—described as Texas Tech’s best pitcher and the highest-paid player in college softball—should be well-rested heading into Game 2.
NiJaree Canady Gerry Glasco Texas Tech softball Women’s College World Series final Samantha Lincoln Katie Stewart Kaitlyn Terry WCWS Game 1 NCAA softball
So they pulled her because she gave up one homer? Sounds like panic managing to me.
I mean, I get “protect Game 2 flexibility” but if you yank your ace mid-1st inning that early it kinda feels backwards. Like let her work through it??
Wait did the coach say it was to give the offense “second and third inning”?? But Game 1 was already like over after the first. Maybe she was injured or something and they just blamed strategy lol
This just reminds me how softball pitching changes the whole vibe. If Lincoln hadn’t come in maybe Texas would’ve scored even more, but idk… pulling Canady “for tomorrow” sounds good in theory. Best-of-three though, like Game 2 isn’t guaranteed right? And that 6-run first inning… brutal.