Context:

Hailey Toney's two-run double and NiJaree Canady's stellar pitching led the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 4-0 victory over the Arizona Wildcats, securing their first Big 12 Tournament title. As the conference's top seed, Texas Tech earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking their seventh appearance. Under the guidance of coach Gerry Glasco, the team claimed their first regular-season title and Glasco was named Coach of the Year. Canady's complete-game effort included eight strikeouts, allowing only two hits and two walks, culminating in the Red Raiders' 23rd shutout of the season. The decisive runs were scored in the second inning, with crucial contributions from Bailey Lindemuth, Victoria Valdez, and Mihyia Davis, while Canady skillfully navigated a sixth-inning threat to maintain the shutout.

Dive Deeper:

• Hailey Toney's pivotal two-run double in the second inning was instrumental in Texas Tech's triumph over Arizona, as they claimed their first Big 12 Tournament softball championship with a 4-0 win.

• NiJaree Canady, named Big 12 pitcher of the year, showcased her dominance by allowing only two hits and two walks over seven innings, striking out eight batters in a complete-game shutout, her 26th win of the season.

• Texas Tech, under first-year head coach Gerry Glasco, not only won their first regular-season title but also secured an NCAA Tournament spot, their seventh in history, after an impressive 45-12 season.

• The Red Raiders' scoring in the second inning was initiated by Bailey Lindemuth, who singled, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Victoria Valdez's base hit, with further contribution from Toney's and Mihyia Davis's hits.

• Despite Arizona's storied history with seven national championships and 25 Women's College World Series appearances, their first season in the Big 12 ended without a title since their last in 2007.

• Texas Tech's path to the final included a commanding 18-0 victory over Arizona State in the semifinals, setting a tournament record for runs in a game, demonstrating their potent offensive capability.

• Canady's defensive prowess was highlighted in the sixth inning, where she executed a crucial 1-5-3 double play to extinguish Arizona's only significant threat, preserving the shutout and securing the victory.