Mia Williams hit by pitch streak: Why Texas Tech softball star keeps getting plunked at Women’s College World Series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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For the second time in as many years — and the second time in program history — Texas Tech is in the Women’s College World Series.
This year’s roster greatly resembles the one that made history in Lubbock one year prior. Gerry Glasco’s bunch is spearheaded by NiJaree Canady, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.
Other standouts like Mihyia Davis and Hailey Toney still remain. They’re accompanied by an impressive group of newcomers, namely star slugger Mia Williams.
Williams leads the team in dingers. The Florida transfer has kept her strong performances going in the tournament, slugging two homers as the Red Raiders advanced past two-time NCAA champion Florida.
Williams has garnered attention for another reason in WCWS play: she can’t stop getting hit by pitches.
Here’s what you need to know.
MORE: NCAA softball live bracket, schedule, how to watch
Mia Williams hit by pitch streak
Williams has been struck in four straight contests. The Texas Tech slugger was plunked five times in three games against Florida. On Thursday, Williams took a shot to back, extending her ignominious run.
Mia Williams hit in the head on first pitch… and an illegal one at that… umpiring and the SUP need audited pic.twitter.com/8nwXpfim0o
— IndyGodfather® (@Pauly_Wallnutts) May 28, 2026
The Red Raiders made the Mississippi State pay for their perceived insolence. In the next at-bat, Jackie Lies sent the ball hurtling beyond the bleachers.
“When your teammate gets hit you take that personally,” Lis said postgame, per USA Today. “And if we didn’t learn anything from last weekend, when Mia Williams get hit, you take it personally and you step up for your team in those moments.”
Williams’ unlucky spell continued on the base paths. An errant throw on a pick-off attempt hit Williams in the helmet.
Mia Williams is an absolute ball magnet right now! pic.twitter.com/JsLEfYuqHi
— Rachel Coleman (@_coachrachel) May 28, 2026
She was awarded two bases for her troubles, setting the stage for a scoring flourish that helped Texas Tech score a run-rule victory against the Bulldogs.
MORE: Why does Mississippi State softball have rally broccoli?
Why is Mia Williams getting hit by pitches?
As one of the best players in the nation, Williams is used to getting “special” treatment from opposition pitchers. The Windermere, Fla. is a gifted power hitter, tallying 24 home runs, the joint-ninth-best mark in softball. Her .932 slugging percentage is 16th-best mark in the country.
Simply put, Williams is a supernova. She has been treated as such during the postseason.
She also had an unfortunate matchup in the the tournament. Williams started her career with the Gators before transferring to the Red Raiders before the 2026 season. There appeared to be some lingering animosity from the move, with Florida appearing to target her during their matchup.
In Game 3 of the series, for example, Gators pitcher Keagan Rothrock hit Williams with the first pitch of the game.
Keagan Rothrock hits Mia Williams with the first pitch of the game.
Intentional? pic.twitter.com/dbK2fWZQOe
— Andres Rodriguez (@AndresR030105) May 22, 2026
Florida refused to shake Texas Tech’s hands after the Red Raiders ended their season. Gators head coach Tim Walton was ejected partway through the contest, with Williams’ father — a former Florida alum — suggesting his ejection was premeditated to ensure he wouldn’t have to shake his former pupil’s hand.
That series was a full-blown WWE
Texas Tech heads to WCWS, beating Florida
Gators plunked former player Mia Williams’ numerous times, tempers were 🔥🔥
Florida doesn’t shake hands. pic.twitter.com/Eqna8PF5kd
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) May 24, 2026
Who is Mia Williams’ dad?
Williams’ father is Jason Williams. If he sounds familiar, that’s because he is. Williams, known by his alias, “White Chocolate”, starred for Florida men’s basketball before conjuring up highlights as a gifted ball-handler across 12 NBA seasons.
Jason has been an ardent supporter of his daughter throughout her softball career. During that infamous Super Regional against Florida, he was ejected and escorted out of the stadium after getting into a verbal altercation with a fan who threw something at his daughter.
Meanwhile there was some drama in that inning as former #Gators basketball and NBA player Jason Williams, and father of Mia Williams, was briefly removed from the game by cops
Williams claims that his daughter was hit by a fan, and it seems like said fan is leaving
Lots of… pic.twitter.com/HgYr6EhJL1
— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) May 22, 2026
Suffice to say, if Mia gets plunked again during the WCWS, Jason will have something to say about it.
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