NiJaree Canady strikes out 18, pitches second no-no of the season

The Stanford freshman was lights out in Stanford's win over Villanova

Stanford freshman pitcher NiJaree Canady has been an impact player from the moment she put on the Cardinal uniform, and Friday's showing against Villanova was just more proof of that. 

The Kansas native who is now 6-0 on the year, shutdown Villanova, striking out 18 hitters en route to her second no-hitter of the season and a 3-0 Stanford win. She is the first Cardinal pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters in a single season since Teagan Gerhart did in 2010 when she finished with three in 2010. Canady also broke her career record of 16 strikeouts set against Liberty, and came just one short of Missy Penna's (2009) Stanford record of 19.

Count 'em up!

That's 1⃣8⃣ strikeouts and no-hitter #⃣2⃣ for NiJaree Canady!@CanadyNijaree | #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/mdyheIy70H

— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) March 4, 2023

The Cardinal are now 16-2 on the year, and will be facing off against Villanova later on Saturday. Their lone two losses on the year were at the hands of No. 1 Oklahoma, and No. 16 Duke.