In the Circle

Good Gals: Texas Tech Red Raiders (38-2, 14-1)
Bad Gals: Utah Utes (25-13-1, 4-7-1); Utah State Aggies (16-21, 5-7); UTSA (20-21, 8-7); and Texas State (24-16, 6-6)
When to Watch: Friday, April 10th thru Sunday, April 12th
Where to Watch: Dumke Family Softball Stadium | Salt Lake City, Utah; LeRee & LeGrand Johnson Field | Logan, Utah; Roadrunner Field | San Antonio, Texas; Bobcat Softball Stadium | San Marcos, Texas
Links: Preview & Series Notes

ESPN’s Bill Connelly: 2026 college softball: Answering five big questions

Tech’s run to the national title series last season was driven primarily by the dominant pitching of NiJaree Canady, and the goal of last year’s transfer portal recruiting efforts was to make the Red Raiders less ace-dependent. Thanks to the addition of UCLA’s Kaitlyn Terry (15-0, 76.2 innings, 1.73 ERA), Canady has had to pitch only 92.1 innings so far (she was at 116.2 innings on April 7 last year). Meanwhile, Florida transfer Mia Williams leads the team with a 1.486 OPS and 14 home runs, and Southern Illinois transfer Jackie Lis has added 10 HRs (third on the team). Tech is the only team in the country to rank in the top five in both OPS and OPS allowed, though it hasn’t faced the roughest of schedules.

There’s also a really great breakdown of the season that NiJaree Canady is having, particularly that she’s have a great season, but maybe not as great as last year and is dominant against lefties, but having issues against righties.

Game #1 vs. Utah Info: 4/10 @ 6:00 p.m.
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Game #2 vs. Utah Info: 4/11 @ 1:00 p.m.
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Game #3 vs. Utah Info: 4/12 @ 12:00 p.m.
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Game #4 vs. Utah State Info: 4/13 @ 3:00 p.m.
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Game #5 vs. UTSA Info: 4/14 @ 6:00 p.m.
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Game #6 vs. Texas State Info: 4/15 @ 6:00 p.m.
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On the Mound

Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (19-13, 5-7)
Bad Guys: West Virginia Mountaineers (22-7, 8-4)
When to Watch: Friday, April 10th thru Sunday, April 12th
Where to Watch: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park | Lubbock, Texas
Links: Preview | Series Notes

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams: Texas Tech baseball juggles rotation; preview, how to watch WVU series

Adam Hayes has pitched well and given the Texas Tech baseball staff some length in his past two midweek starts. Now the freshman righthander gets his chance to show he can do it against more than New Mexico and Abilene Christian.

In a move Tech coach Tim Tadlock alluded to last weekend, Hayes is being promoted to the Red Raiders’ weekend rotation to face Big 12 batters. First up, West Virginia. Tech (19-13, 5-7 in the Big 12) hosts No. 19 West Virginia (22-7, 8-4) in a conference series this weekend at Dan Law Field/Rip Griffin Park.

“He seems to be preparing really good,” Tadlock said. “He’s had two good outings. We’ve had some bad outings on the weekend and really just felt like it was time to give him an opportunity based on, he earned it.”

Game #1 Info: 4/10 @ 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+
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Game #2 Info: 4/3 @ 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+
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Game #3 Info: 4/4 @ 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+
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