On the Diamond

Texas Tech softball hosts Arizona State with a chance to win the Big 12 Conference title if they can win 2 of the 3 games. Go Wreck’Em!

Texas Tech baseball hosts No. 16 Arizona this weekend, starting Friday night:

GAME ONE:
MATCHUP: Texas Tech (13-23, 8-10 Big 12) vs. No. 16 Arizona (29-11, 12-6 Big 12)
DATE: Apr. 25, 2025
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Lubbock, Texas
PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Mac Heuer (1-2, 6.15 ERA) vs. RHP Collin McKinney (0-1, 2.79 ERA)

GAME TWO:
MATCHUP: Texas Tech (13-23, 8-10 Big 12) vs. No. 16 Arizona (29-11, 12-6 Big 12)
DATE: Apr. 26, 2025
TIME: 2 p.m.
LOCATION: Lubbock, Texas
PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Tyler Boudreau (1-2, 9.00 ERA) vs. RHP Owen Kramkowski (6-3, 5.08 ERA)

GAME THREE:
MATCHUP: Texas Tech (13-23, 8-10 Big 12) vs. No. 16 Arizona (29-11, 12-6 Big 12)
DATE: Apr. 25, 2025
TIME: 12:30 p.m. (NOTE NEW TIME; First Pitch was changed from 1 p.m. to 12:30)
LOCATION: Lubbock, Texas
PITCHING MATCHUP: RHP Zane Petty (1-2, 5.82 ERA) vs. RHP Smith Bailey (1-1, 3.46 ERA)

On the Hardwood

Shelton State forward Julie Nekolna was a 1st team All-American after Shelton State was runner-up to the National Junior College D1 Women’s National Championship. Nekolna averaged 14.6 points a game along with 6.6 boards while shooting 57% from the field and 80% from the free throw line.

Officially signed ✍️

Welcome to Lady Raider Nation, Julie!

🔗 https://t.co/I4vRErY0jW pic.twitter.com/pqPK4QU7I4

— Lady Raider Basketball (@LadyRaiderWBB) April 24, 2025

Texas Tech’s Wes Bloomquist asked a bunch of media members about the trajectory of Texas Tech basketball. There’s a lot there, but here’s just one:

Dan Bonner, TNT: “What sets him apart is his demeanor and his ability to relate to people. He makes toughness the centerpiece of his program without being abusive and he is demanding without being demeaning. Just a little ‘for instance.’ Near the end of the practice session on the off day before the regional final, he came over to where Stan Van Gundy and I were sitting. He had already chatted very pleasantly and helpfully with us earlier about strategy, tactics, players, etc., so we were a little surprised to see him coming over. During our two tournament weeks, nobody had done that; all the other coaches wanting to get away as soon as possible. He leans over with his hands on the table and asks for Stan’s views on (of all things, at least to me) the wisdom of double teaming the ball in the low post. For literally the last five minutes on the clock, the two of them exchanged ideas about that one highly technical, and extremely specific, and relatively obscure point. I was blown away, not only with their display of knowledge and clear desire to tinker with their own extensive views on the limited topic, but also by Grant’s efforts to engage me in the conversation despite the fact that it was clear I had nothing to contribute. As I said, I was blown away.”

On the Gridiron

Colorado offensive lineman Cash Cleveland (6-3/290) from Rockwall Heath has decided to transfer to Texas Tech. Cleveland started the last 4 games and did so as a walk-on at Colorado after playing his final year at IMG in Florida. There’s a lot of drama regarding Cleveland as he was not promised a scholarship after the spring game and I am sure that folks from Colorado would tell you otherwise. I don’t know, I’m relatively new to this story and it honestly doesn’t really matter to me at all. Regardless, Texas Tech has an interior lineman after losing Dylan Shaw and Nick Fattig to the transfer portal.

Excited to be a Red Raider! 🌵 pic.twitter.com/iXfwjB4Jsk

— Cash Cleveland (@cleveland_cash) April 24, 2025