On the Diamond
I don’t know what the inflection point is for this team, but maybe this is it. I’ve not had a ton of time keeping pace with the baseball team. Enough to know that the pitching hasn’t been great and had lost the first two conference series, to Texas in Lubbock, and on the road to Waco. They lost both things 1-2. This weekend was BYU. Texas Tech fell to BYU 8-5 on Thursday night, and things were not looking up, yet again. Starter Mac Heuer did okay in 5 innings, allowing 5 runs, 4 earned, walking 1 and striking out 8, but Trendan Parish comes on in relief, pitches just 2.2 innings, allows 4 hits, 3 runs, all earned, walking 2 and striking out 4. Heuer took the loss, but Parish didn’t help.
On Friday night Texas Tech walked off Dylan Maxcey doubled and Landon Stripling singled to allow Maxcey to score and win the game 4-3. Much better pitching results with Kyle Robinson going 6 and striking out 5. Nice to get some timely hitting from a sophomore and a freshman. And Saturday night, Texas Tech cruised to a 10-1 win. Jack Washburn might have gotten a bit lucky, he went 4 innings, but gave up 5 walks and struck out 4 and only gave up 1 run. Jacob Roberts didn’t allow a hit in 3 innings and Parker Hutyra also didn’t allow a hit in 2 innings. This team will have a mid-week game against SFA and Zane Petty will not get the start before heading to Orlando to take on UCF for a 3-game series.
Softball had their series cancelled and this sucks for them. It was an absolute blizzard and they all should have known that it was pointless to travel to Ames this weekend, they should have come to Lubbock because it wasn’t just a little bit of snow. These ladies will host UCF this weekend.
On the Court
I don’t have a link for this, but I think I’ve read that Chance McMillian, Pop Isaacs, and Darrion Williams have all said that they would return next year. Whatever you do, don’t take this to the bank. It’s a long time before the roster is set, maybe in August, and you just never know what’s going to happen. I would be happy if Robert Jennings also returned and would understand if some of the others did not, maybe seeking other opportunities. Warren Washington and Joe Toussaint are the only seniors who have no eligibility remaining. I do think that we’re a long ways away from the roster settling and even as of this morning, there hasn’t been any players stating that they will transfer. That’s quite the departure from last year. There will be transfers and I will do the eligibility tracker that will track the 13 scholarships when it’s time (we’re not there yet).
On the Gridiron
A couple of Athlon Sports articles. Up first is every team’s most important transfer portal addition on offense and defense.
Texas Tech
Best Offensive Addition: WR Josh Kelly/TE Jalin Conyers/OL Vinny Sciury (Toledo)
We will cheat here and list three players poised to make a big impact for the Red Raiders in ’24. Sciury fills an immediate need for starting linemen after the offense lost four from last season. Also, a receiving corps depleted by departures will get a boost with Kelly (Washington State) and Conyers (Arizona State) catching passes.
Best Defensive Addition: DL De’Braylon Carroll (from Rice)
With Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. departing the interior of the line, the Red Raiders needed proven options like Carroll to restock this group for ’24. Carroll recorded 101 tackles (19 for a loss) and seven sacks in 42 games at Rice.
This also checks out on my end of things too. It stinks that Conyers is injured this spring, but the broken foot should be healed by the time the summer workouts hit.
The second article is the biggest question for each Big 12 team heading into the spring:
Texas Tech: Will the Red Raiders leave spring with answers in the trenches?
The line of scrimmage is likely to receive the bulk of the attention from head coach Joey McGuire in spring workouts. The Red Raiders return only one starter on the offensive line and lost defensive standouts Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. Can Texas Tech find the right answers on both sides of the ball in spring practice?
Sounds about right and add in a new offensive line coach to boot.