Texas Tech Baseball Is Back

It is FINALLY that time of year again. Your no. 3 nationally ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders kick off the 2019 season right here at home with a four-game series against the Oregon Ducks.

This series is history in the making, as these two teams meet for the first time in the two programs’ histories. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Friday at Dan Law Field with the 2018 All-Big 12 performer and preseason All-American Caleb Killian set to take the mound. Arkansas transfer and Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year Bryce Bonnin will follow on the mound to start Saturday’s game at 3 p.m., and Sunday’s 2 p.m. game brings us another new face on the mound in freshman lefty Mason Montgomery.

The series finale gets underway Monday at 1 p.m. Along with a few new faces taking the field, are some that should be quite a bit more familiar. Faces like 2018 All-American third baseman Josh Jung, All-American and Big 12 Freshman of the year Gabe Holt, and All-Big 12 Tournament Team honoree Cam Warren round out what amounts to the potential best team under Tadlock yet.

Don’t let the mild West Texas Wind deter you from attending this weekend’s games, as the Red Raiders have a habit of opening their seasons with a bang. Over the past 33 years, Texas Tech is 31-2 on opening day and 6-1 under Coach Tadlock. The boys will have their work cut out for them though, as Golden-Spike Award candidate Kenyan Yovan takes the mound for the Ducks on Friday, followed by Junior Ryne Nelson on Saturday. Nelson spent most of the 2018 season at shortstop, but posted a 3.86 ERA in 16 appearances as a closer, and is the 11th best prospect in all of college baseball.

With the start of Tech’s 70th season of baseball and 7th under Head Coach Tim Tadlock, the team has already amassed the second most preseason rankings in school history, right behind the 2018 team, and the highest preseason ranking in school history at number 3 by the NCBWA and D1 Baseball. This season’s schedule features games against #14 Mississippi State, #17 Michigan, and 4 preseason ranked Big 12 teams. The series right after Oregon features a Kentucky squad who is looking to repeat in giving Texas Tech its first loss of the season. This season’s schedule is an extremely difficult one, but expectations should still remain high.

So show up and make some noise as the Red Raiders start the run to Omaha early! Don’t have tickets? Be sure to listen to the Rob Breaux Show with Karson Robinson and Ryan Hyatt’s Raiderland all season long for your chance to score a pair or two. See you at the Law!