Florida, Texas Tech set for star-studded Super Regional showdown

GAINESVILLE - Florida will have to get past one of the nation’s top pitchers and most explosive lineups to defeat Texas Tech and reach another Women’s College World Series under coach Tim Walton.

The Gators’ 5-2 win against Georgia Tech Sunday in the NCAA Regional set up a Super Regional showdown with All-American pitcher NiJaree Canady and a Red Raiders lineup ranked second nationally in batting average (.389) and third in home runs (128).

Florida (51-10) will host the the best-of-three series Friday and Saturday, with a deciding game Sunday if necesary. The Gators are seeking their 13th trip to WCWS appearance under Walton and will play their 17th Super Regional during his 21 seasons in Gainesville.

Canady, a Stanford transfer, carried Texas Tech (55-6) to last season’s WCWS finals before the Red Raiders fell in three games to Texas. After posting a nation-leading 0.90 ERA with a 33-5 record and 304 strikeouts in 226 innings in 2025, the senior right-hander continued to dominate while sharing the load this season.

Canaday enters the Super Regionals 23-5 with a 1.42 ERA and 215 strikeouts in 152 1/3 innings.

Junior left-hander Kaitlyn Terry has given Texas Tech another elite arm, compiling a 24-1 record with a 1.39 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 126 1/3 innnings. The UCLA transfer also leads the team with a .470 batting average while adding 10 home runs and 55 RBI.

Former Gators second baseman Mia Williams, daughter of former Florida basketball star Jason Williams, anchors a Red Raiders lineup featuring four batting at least .400. Williams is hitting .435 with a team-leading 22 home runs and 77 RBI.

Florida will counter with its own ace in junior Keegan Rothrock and a deep lineup led by sophomore centerfielder Taylor Shumaker.

Rothrock tossed a complete game shutout in Saturday’s 8-0 win against Georiga Tech and followed it by allowing the Yellow Jackets just one hit during Sunday’s win. Across 15 innings during regional play, Rothrock (29-6) surrended only five hits and two earned runs while striking out 13.

Shumaker, who leads Florida with a .446 batting average from the leadoff spot, hit two home runs, drove in seven runs and scored six times in three games.

The Gators’ offense also features senior Jocelyn Erickson, who still leads the team with 20 home runs and 71 RBI while batting .404 despite going homerless during the regional. Shortstop Kenleigh Cahalan added a three-run home run Saturday - her 16th of the season - and has 64 RBI and a .373 batting average.

The Gators are batting .355 with 102 home runs, both ranking seventh nationally and setting up what could be the marquee matchup of the eight Super Regional matchups.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Texas Tech (55-6) at Florida (51-10)

When: 11 a.m., Friday; 12:30 p.m., Saturday; Sunday, if necessary

Where:Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, Gainesville

TV: ESPN2 (Friday), ABC (Saturday)

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 11:09 AM.