Texas Tech University Athletics
Baseball Prepares For Season Opener Against BYU
January 22, 2002 | Baseball
Jan. 22, 2002
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Opponent: BYU (Brigham Young University)
Series Location: Lubbock, Texas
Stadium: Dan Law Field
Capacity: 5,050
Dates: Jan. 24-26, 2002
Game Times: 3 p.m./3 p.m./Noon
Radio: The All Sports Radio Network Mark Finkner, Ryan Hyatt
TEXAS TECH PREPARES FOR SEASON OPENER
The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the 2002 season on Thursday against the BYU Cougars with high expectations. The Red Raiders had an outstanding year in 2001 which included a second-place finish in the Big 12 Conference and the school's seventh consecutive birth in the NCAA Tournament. Texas Tech finished the year with a mark of 43-20-1 and hopes to better that record in 2002 and make a run at the College World Series.
The Red Raiders return a solid nucleus in the infield which is anchored by the return of preseason All-America selection Nick Blankenship at third base. Blankenship along with shortstop Gera Alvarez and first baseman Bryon Smith will make Texas Tech's defense stingy yet again. Adding to last year's Big 12 leading defense is the addition of infielders Jake Brown, Eric Kitchen and catchers Madison Edwards, Willie Durazo and Jake Valles.
The outfield is jam packed with talent this year as newcomers Jon Slack, Cody Fuller and Scooter Jordan will join returnees Tyler Carson and Brent Fossum. The outfield is not only talented defensively but offensively as well as Jordan and Slack will occupy the top slots in the batting order.
Chris Phillips, a 2001 All-Big 12 pick, returns to the pitching staff this year along with seniors Matt Harbin and Chad Ertel. Harbin and Ertel came on strong at the end of last season and will be key in the development of this year's staff.
TEXAS TECH AT A GLANCE
- Texas Tech finished the 2001 season with an overall record of 43-20-1 and a 19-10-1 mark in the Big 12.
- Texas Tech is the winningest team in the history of the Big 12 Conference with a win total of 311-126-1 (.710).
- Texas Tech returns seven of the team's top 11 hitters from last season and three of the top six pitchers.
- Texas Tech is making its season debut in the month of January for just the third time in school history. Tech opened with Howard Payne on Jan. 24, 1992 (a 14-1 Tech win) and with Howard University last season on Jan. 26th (Tech won the doubleheader 21-0 and 25-0)
- Texas Tech is 6-1 all-time in the month of January with the only loss coming on Jan. 31, 1992 to Grand Canyon (11-5)
- Texas Tech has an all-time mark of 30-22 on opening day that spans 52 seasons of play.
- Texas Tech is 17-8 all-time in home season openers and has won three-straight.
- Texas Tech is ranked 26th by Collegiate Baseball Magazine and is 27th in the Baseball Weekly/ESPN Coaches Poll
