Sports

Texas Tech Vs. TCU Men’s Baseball Preview

Texas Tech red raider baseball players  during the season

Texas Tech’s First Loss So Far

        Thus far, after having a dominant season, the Red Raiders lost their first series of the season 1-2 against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas. Before this last weekend’s series, the red raiders were 19-4 and moved to 20-6 for the season. The team will look to bounce back this weekend against No. 10 TCU at home in Lubbock at Dan Law Field at RIP Griffin Park. 

Kansas State Recap

The Texas Tech Red Raiders began their series in the little apple, Manhattan, Kansas, on Thursday with a dominant first game 17-1 win. The win came with six home runs, with three coming from Jace Jung. The team had back-to-back home runs in the third and followed it up with three consecutive home runs in the eighth. With a dominant win Thursday, the Red Raiders woke up Friday with the momentum to take the series. 

Unfortunately, Friday, the Red Raiders fell, 7-2 against the Kansas State Wildcats. In the game’s early innings, the Red Raiders went down 6-0 and could not complete the comeback, only scoring twice in the competition. The Wildcats responded in a barrage of runs and hit two home runs in the first inning, and finished the game with three. The Red Raiders only went 1-for-10 with their runners and ended the game by leaving nine players on base. While points may have seemed hard to come by for the game, the Red Raiders did have eight batters add a hit on their resume. 

Tech Assisted In Kansas’s First Win

In the third and final game of the season, the Red Raiders dropped the series finale 10-4, helping Kansas State get their first series win against Texas Tech since 2013. In the second game of the series, the Red Raiders allowed three home runs and four more in the Saturday loss. While the game Saturday mirrored Friday with two dingers in the first and leading 3-0 after the first inning, the Red Raiders played from behind the rest of the game. 

TCU Series 

        In a much-anticipated matchup, the Texas Tech Red Raiders take on the No. 10 TCU Horned frogs in Lubbock at Dan Law Field. The series begins on Friday, April 9th, and is followed on Saturday the 10th and Sunday, April 11th. It also will be available to watch on ESPN+ and TTSN if you can’t make the game. 

 The Red Raiders will bounce back against the Horned Frogs, who are coming off a series sweep against the University of Oklahoma. The TCU Horned Frogs have three players who average above a .300 batting for the season with Phillip Sikes, Zach Humphreys, and Hunter Wolfe. 

TCU Players To Look Out For

        Phillip Sikes is a junior and Texas native and plays outfield for the Horned Frogs. As a junior, Sikes has averaged a .326 batting average for the season and can place the ball anywhere it may need to be. By combining his speed from playing centerfield and the ability to hit the ball consistently, Sikes can cause problems for the Red Raiders. 

        The next player to keep an eye on for the Horned frogs is senior Zach Humphreys. Also, a Texas native, Humphreys, has had a very successful career in the 26th round of the MLB draft and was selected for the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championships All-Tournament Team. Humphreys has averaged a .322 batting average for the season and plays catcher for the Horned frogs. Humphreys is dangerous from multiple positions on both sides of the ball and behind the plate knowledge. 

        The last player averaging above .300 batting average for TCU is Hunter Wolfe. Wolfe, who is originally from Tennessee, has a resume that speaks for itself. Wolfe has been a designated hitter for the Horned Frogs since he began playing in 2019 and has played multiple positions since he started playing. Wolfe’s play has spoken for itself as of late as he has been on a hot streak and has been a big part of TCU winning 9 of their last 10. He has batted a .315 batting average for the season and, like Sikes and Humphreys, can cause problems for the Red Raiders. 

Record Season For The Red Raiders

        The Red Raiders also have their arsenal of players in Dru Baker, Jace Jung, and Cal Conley, all having record seasons. All three players are batting above .325 for the Red Raiders and are looking to bounce back after losing a series to an unranked Kansas State. 

        Dru Baker is a sophomore and Texas Native and has been on fire for the Red Raiders as of late. Baker has averaged an outstanding .427 batting average for the season and leads not only the Red Raiders but is one of the top batters in the Big 12. Look for Baker to have a big series against the Horned frogs as he and the Red Raiders look to bounce back. 

        The next player to keep an on for Texas Tech is Jace Jung, who many have high expectations of after his brother, who was also a Red Raider, was drafted into the MLB last year. Jung, who is only a freshman, has impressed many by batting a .388 average for the 2021 season and does not look to slow down anytime soon. Look for Jung to do big things against the Horned Frogs as he continues to build his resume in his first full collegiate season. 

        The last player with over a .300 batting average for the Red Raiders is Freshman Cal Conley. Thus far, Conley has had an awe-inspiring season with batting a .336 average for the season and has consistently played well throughout the season. The Ohio native last season was one of the top newcomers of the year in college baseball and is looking to follow up on that reputation. 

Red Raiders Looking To Bounce Back

        Overall, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are looking to bounce back from an upset loss to Kansas State. Moving from being ranked no. 4, after the loss, the now ranked no. 8. Red Raiders should be eager to take on the No. 10 TCU Horned frogs. Don’t forget to get tickets for the Dan Law Field showdown at Rip Griffin Park this weekend, beginning Friday, April 9th. Followed on Saturday 10th and Sunday, April 11th, and you can watch on ESPN+ and TTSN.

Want more? Look back at Texas Tech Vs. South Florida preview and compare to the outcome of the series. Check out the upcoming schedule on the official website.

Written by Trinity Porter, Campus Live Intern

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