Devon Park is familiar ground for Nijali Kanady.
Regarded as the best pitcher in college softball, Canady has dominated on the biggest stage of all the past two years at the Women’s College World Championships in Oklahoma City while playing for Stanford University.
Canady, who entered the transfer portal, returned to Oklahoma City this weekend as a member of the U.S. Women’s Elite Team. The U.S. team played UK in an exhibition game on Saturday and won 11-1 under the four-inning run rule. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Sunday at 11 a.m. before the U.S. heads to the Japan All-Star Series, which begins July 4.
Canady did not pitch to receive the win. Instead, former Oklahoma and Oklahoma State standout Kelly Maxwell started and allowed just two hits in three innings, while former Oklahoma and Alabama standout Lexi Kilfoyle pitched the final innings, allowing one hit and one run.
Canady, who will be a junior next season and was named the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year for 2024, announced her entry into the portal on June 17. For now, the Topeka, Kansas native is focused on Team USA.
Here’s what Canady said about his experience in a brief interview with The Oklahoman on Saturday:
more:How Nijalee Canady developed into an elite athlete on Topeka’s high school basketball court
Q: I know playing for Team USA is a big goal of yours, can you describe what the experience is like for you?
answer: “It’s a dream come true. I grew up watching not only college softball but also the U.S. team, so being here feels like a dream come true.”
Q: What do you think about Oklahoma City?
answer: “It’s actually pretty close to home. Honestly, I love coming here and playing softball. … Especially being here for the World Series … it’s a great experience.”
Q: What do you think about potentially competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics? I’m sure that’s a big goal for you.
answer: “Of course. For the whole team, the ultimate goal is to compete for the U.S. team. We actually only just found out recently that the U.S. team is coming here. We’re really looking forward to it. We see this tournament as kind of an opening act for that.”
