Texas Tech Red Raiders News: A Weekend to Forget

As I sat down to write this article, I couldn’t help but think about the weekend that was for Texas Tech athletics. It was a weekend that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The baseball team suffered a devastating sweep at the hands of Kansas, while the basketball program lost out on a top recruit to Kentucky.

A Bad Weekend for Baseball

The Texas Tech baseball team was looking to make a statement in Lawrence, Kansas, but instead, they found themselves on the wrong end of a sweep. The Red Raiders held a lead in all three games, but somehow managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. On Friday, starter Ryan Free pitched 5.1 strong innings, but the bullpen couldn’t hold on, and Kansas scored single runs in each of their last three at-bats to win 4-3.

Ryan Free pitched 5.1 strong innings on Friday

Saturday’s game was marred by a scary moment when catcher Dylan Maxcey was stretchered off the field after being hit in the head by a pitch. Fortunately, he was later released from the hospital and rejoined his teammates for Sunday’s game. However, the Red Raiders couldn’t capitalize on the momentum, losing 11-2.

The finale of the series saw Tech jump out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning, only to see KU answer with one in the bottom of the frame and five more in the bottom of the fourth. The Red Raiders were unable to mount a comeback, falling 7-3.

Dylan Maxcey was stretchered off the field on Saturday

The sweep is a devastating blow to the Red Raiders’ NCAA Tournament hopes. With a 12-12 record in Big 12 play, Tech needs conference wins to bolster their resume. However, the final two Big 12 series of the year are against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, the top two teams in the conference standings.

Basketball Recruiting Loss

Over the weekend, Wake Forest transfer forward Andrew Carr visited Lubbock, but ultimately decided to commit to Kentucky. The 6-foot-9 forward scored 13.9 points, grabbed 6.8 rebounds, and dished out 1.5 assists per game this past season.

Andrew Carr committed to Kentucky

The Red Raiders may now turn their attention to recruiting Great Osobor, a power forward who was the Mountain West Player of the Year this season at Utah State.

Softball Shines

In a rare bright spot for Texas Tech athletics, the softball team picked up a nice Big 12 series win over Houston on the road. On Friday, Demi Elder smashed two of Texas Tech’s four homers in a 7-6 win. Maddy Wright picked up her 10th win, tossing 129 pitches and striking out five.

Demi Elder smashed two homers on Friday

Saturday saw the Red Raiders shut out 8-0 in six innings, but they bounced back on Sunday, with Arianna Villa going 4-4 and Wright picking up her 11th win in a 5-2 triumph.

Arianna Villa went 4-4 on Sunday

The Red Raiders now sit at 28-17 on the season and 8-13 in Big 12 play. They return to action this weekend with a three-game set at home against Texas.

It’s been a tough weekend for Texas Tech athletics, but there’s always hope for a turnaround. As a fan, it’s hard not to feel frustrated, but I believe in this team and their ability to bounce back. Let’s rally behind our Red Raiders and cheer them on to victory!