Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raiders Take Momentum Into Four Game Homestand
March 25, 2012 | Softball
March 25, 2012
by Jessika Bailey
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
Momentum is what you make of it.
It's a philosophy Texas Tech softball coach Shanon Hays keeps on his team's mind throughout the season. Interchangeably, Hays uses confidence as a key factor to keeping momentum within the team.
"Confidence is everything," he said. "When you're playing with confidence, you allow yourself to be in good spots to do good things and momentum is everyone playing with confidence."
Even with a two-game sweep at the hands of No. 6 Texas on March 6-7, the Red Raiders have been on a roll as of late, winning their 15 previous non-conference games, including a doubleheader sweep of No. 23 New Mexico on March 12 in Lubbock.
Tech, which closes non-conference play at home Tuesday night against Midwestern State, has won nine-straight since falling to the Longhorns, seven of which that came during the Red Raiders' Spring Break trip to the New York area.
"We needed these past couple of games to really give us a lot of energy," senior Emily Bledsoe said. "You've got to have your head right, you've got to have momentum, and you've got to have the team pulling together."
A confident offense has been key for the Red Raiders, who struggled early in the year producing runs.
Since the Texas series, Tech has hit .374 as a team over nine games with 14 home runs and 68 RBI during that stretch. The Red Raiders outscored their opponents 68-18 during Spring Break, with the pitching staff posting a 1.96 earned-run average as well.
 | You have to remind them that they are a good team. If we play like we should, we have a chance to beat anybody. That's the confidence we need. - Shanon Hays |
Hays said Tech swung the bats well against New Mexico and then had its confidence built up going into the Seton Hall Classic that weekend.
Junior Adriana Perez, who has totaled four home runs and a team-high 14 RBI over the past nine games, said motivation grows within the team and keeps the group focused.
"We motivate each other by wanting to become better because we know we have the talent to become better," Perez said. "Each game is one step closer to winning the conference, and one step closer to going to a college world series which is our ultimate goal."
The Red Raiders are also looking to improve their RPI (rating percentage index) after each game, so playing against tougher opponents throughout the season pushes them closer to postseason play. The RPI rankings, which debut for the first time this season Monday afternoon, are instrumental in determining the 64 teams advancing to a NCAA Regional.
Tech's RPI will continue to improve once Big 12 play resumes Friday evening when the Red Raiders host Iowa State in a three-game series at Rocky Johnson Field.
Hays believes the team has the confidence to continue its winning ways when Big 12 play begins even when seven of eight league opponents on the schedule have been ranked or received votes in the top 25 polls this season.
"You have to remind them that they are a good team," Hays said. "If we play like we should, we have a chance to beat anybody. That's the confidence we need."
