Sports

Nijaree Canady Could Not Run From Former Texas Menace Reese Atwood In Spoiled Pro Debut

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USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect / Brett Rojo-Imagn Images


Nijaree Canady made her AUSL debut on Sunday after being drafted second overall out of Texas Tech. Her former college rival spoiled her first appearance.

Reese Atwood had a big day at the plate for the Carolina Blaze. Canady was unable to hide this time around.

The meeting between Canady and Atwood represented a rematch of the Women’s College World Series. Texas beat Texas Tech in the finals for a second straight year this past postseason. The duo faced off in the final game.

Atwood played a large role in Texas’s success. She homered 19 times during the 2026 season. That came after a 21-homer junior season in which she hit .393.

Canady, too, was an integral part of her team’s success. The Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year went 29-7 with an ERA of 1.87.

Canady transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season. She got the best of Atwood in their first ever contest, with the catcher going 0-3 at the dish in a regular season matchup.

Atwood the returned the favor in the College World Series in ’25. She went 3-for-10 across three games in the championship series while recording three RBIs. That included smacking a game-winning single in the series opener with her team trailing 1-0.

Canady avoided Atwood the second time around. She intentionally walked the slugger in her last two college at-bats.

Nijaree Canady would not pitch to Reese Atwood.

The Red Raiders faced the Longhorns in the WCWS finals again in 2026. Canady started Game 2. She would not give Atwood a chance to hit.

The slugger was intentionally walked twice in the contest, which Texas won 4-1. That loss eliminated Texas Tech from the College World Series and ended its season.

Canady did not pitch to her counterpart in their last college matchup. She didn’t have that luxury in their first pro meeting. Canady had to put the ball across the plate. Atwood took her deep.

Atwood won their first pro battle.

Canady was drafted second by the Texas Volts in the AUSL Draft. After a brief holdout, she signed her deal with the organization. She made her debut on Saturday, the fourth game on the Volts’ schedule.

She did not receive a warm welcome.

Canady allowed five runs in 2.1 innings of work. Batters hit .429 against her on the day with three homers. Atwood, the second-round pick of the Carolina Blaze, homered twice.

The Blaze won the game 9-1. Reese Atwood got bragging rights once again. She’s now won five of her last six games against Canady.

She was given the chance to flex her muscle on Sunday. Canady wasn’t able to pitch around her with other pro hitters in the lineup. Atwood took full advantage of the situation.

Carolina will face Texas again on Monday. We’ll see if Canady gets a shot at revenge.