Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Softball Gets Things Swinging
January 04, 2002 | Softball
Jan. 4, 2002
The 2002 Texas Tech softball team will begin spring practice this Wednesday at its new home, "The Rock." Tech softball coach Bobby Reeves is without his All-American pitcher of a year ago, so defense and speed will be looked upon to help a pitching staff that has a total of 68 innings of experience.
This year's team has a lot of experience as it is returning 13 lettermen from last season including three seniors.
One new addition to this year's squad is junior-transfer Esmerelda Perez (San Jose, Calif./West Valley College) who was named 2001 California State Junior College Player of the Year. Perez's speed will earn her time in center and at the lead-off position.
Looking to top her total of 25 RBI of last season is Carmen Grindell (Carrollton, Texas/Newman Smith). The 5-foot-10 senior hit a team-leading seven homeruns while batting .270 in her first season at Texas Tech.
Tech finished third in the Big 12 Conference last season and earned a trip to the College World Series where it was eliminated by eventual National Champion Arizona in Region I play. This season the schedule doesn't get any easier as the scarlet and black open the season with 13 games on the road against some of the strongest teams in the country.
"I could have made a schedule where we would have been 34-0 heading into conference play, but that would not have done us any good," noted Reeves. "I think with the schedule we have we will be ready for Big 12 play."
The Red Raiders start the season in San Marcos, Texas, playing in the Southwest Texas Tournament on Feb. 1st against Oregon and Southwest Texas State. Tech will not play its first home game until 18 days later when New Mexico State comes to town for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
