CLEARWATER, Fla. – No. 13 Texas Tech and No. 19 Nebraska opened their seasons with victories under the lights as the 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic presented by MaxBP kicked off on Thursday evening at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex. The Red Raiders blanked Marshall, 2-0, while the Huskers used a five-run fifth to upset No. 6 Tennessee, 7-1. The remainder of the 17-team field, along with the above-mentioned teams, will be part of the first full day of competition on Friday.
A trio of Texas Tech pitchers combined on a one-hit shutout against the Thundering Herd. Red Raider newcomer NiJaree Canady was lights out and earned the win in her debut. The NFCA All-American fanned seven and did not allow a hit in her 3.2 innings of work. She also walked twice and was plunked at the plate. Freshman Samantha Lincoln started and surrendered one hit and struck out one in two innings. Chloe Riassetto earned the save with 1.1 innings, sitting down all four batters.
The Thundering Herd duo of Bub Feringa and Jules King held the Red Raiders (1-0) to two runs on three hits while striking out seven.
Canady’s shutout performance was aided in the fourth when center fielder Mihiyia Davis made a spectacular running catch, crashing into the fence and saving a potential game-tying run.
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In her return for the Huskers, Jordy Bahl went the distance in the circle, surrendering a run on five hits to earn the complete-game win. She struck out seven and did not issue a free pass. She outdueled fellow NFCA First-Team All-American Karlyn Pickens, who allowed five runs, none of them earned, on five hits with 11 punchouts and zero walks.
Bahl also capped off the five-run fifth (all with two outs) with her first collegiate home run, a two-run blast to left. Nebraska, who was trailing 1-0, scored three runs on an infield hit and a pair of throwing errors. Two batters later Bahl went yard.
All games will be streamed live for free courtesy of NFCA Official Sponsor GameChanger, the sole streaming provider of the tournament. Additionally, GameChanger, NFCA Official Sponsor Major League Baseball and the Association are teaming up to broadcast games, Saturday, Feb. 8, on MLB Network. Duke and Missouri open the tripleheader at 1:00 p.m. followed by No. 19 Nebraska against No. 13 Texas Tech with No. 6 Tennessee and No. 21 Northwestern closing out the tripleheader.
Friday’s full slate of 18 games begins at 10 a.m. with Notre Dame vs. Morgan State and Pittsburgh vs. RV Kentucky
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