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Stanford freshman ace NiJaree Canady credits offense for strong showing vs. Duke

PeterWarrenPhoto2by:Peter Warren•05/26/23•

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Syndication: The Topeka Capital-Journal
Current Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady pitching during a game in her high school career at Topeka High. (Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

Stanford elected to start freshman pitcher NiJaree Canady for the first game of their Super Regional against Duke this weekend. The decision paid off for the Cardinal.

After giving up a run in the first inning, Canady shut down the Blue Devils hitters the rest of the way. Kaitlyn Lim broke open the game with a two-run double in the fifth and Stanford added insurance in the sixth as the Cardinal won the game, 3-2.

It was the first Super Regional win for the program since the 2011 season. Canady finished the game allowing only four hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out nine batters.

She also performed well in clutch moments, stranding runners in scoring position in both the fourth and seven innings.

Canady spoke to the broadcasters after the win and gave all the credit to the offense for leading the team to victory.

“I owe it all to my offense,” Canady said. “I gave up a run early but my offense came through, scored three runs. After that, I knew I couldn’t let them down.”

Canady entered the game with a 0.46 ERA and 0.64 WHIP to go along with 180 strikeouts in 106.1 innings pitched.

She pitched 7.1 innings over two games — both against Florida — in the Regional the previous weekend. Canady did not allow a run and surrendered only two hits.

Former James Madison superstar Odicci Alexander is a hero of Canady’s and the freshman says she models her intensity and effort on how Alexander plays.

“She just plays hard,” Canady said. “I feel like every single pitch like she goes all out. If you play a game like that, it’s hard to lose. So I’m just trying to take bits and pieces from her.”

The Cardinal are expecting to roll with star pitcher Alana Vawter on the mound Saturday for Game 2. Vawter is a three-time All-Pac-12 first team honoree and earned a spot on the team this season besides Canady.

She has a 19-8 record on the season with a 1.79 ERA, 1.08 WHIP with 17 complete games.

Canady had high praise for her teammates, complimenting her ability to locate her pitches.

“She’s just so confident,” Canady said. “Like I’ve said this before, I feel like she can just hit a pin when she’s pitching. She just hits her spot so well. I’m excited to see what she does.”