Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Softball Opens Practice For 2015 Season
January 14, 2015 | Softball
Kierra Miles returns to the middle of the Texas Tech lineup this season after hitting .310 with seven home runs and 36 RBI. She was one of 15 returners back on the diamond Wednesday when Texas Tech opened preseason practices.
Jan. 14, 2015
The Red Raiders, who returned to campus for the first day of classes on Wednesday as well, are just over three weeks from opening their first season under Gregory as Tech will face Montana on Feb. 5 in the Hotel Encanto Classic hosted by New Mexico State.
Gregory inherits 15 returners from a year ago to go along with three newcomers in transfers Jordan Bettiol and Devon Thomey as well as freshman Kaylee Strickland.
The list of returners includes five positions starters from 2014 in Kristi Belshe, Lea Hopson, Brittany Lee, Kierra Miles and Sydnie Tapia as well as Cara Custer in the circle. All five returning position starters drove in at least 20 RBI a year ago, led by 36 from Miles, who hit. 310 with seven home runs and five doubles.
Tech will once again lean on the right arm of Custer this season as the senior heads into her final year looking to put the final touches on one of the top pitching careers in program history.
Custer, who went 12-7 overall a year ago, enters this season tied for second all-time with Ashly Jacobs in career wins (51) and also ranks among the all-time leaders in earned-run average (3.05), saves (7), games started (77), complete games (27), innings pitched (489.0), appearances (116), strikeouts (346) and strikeouts per seven innings (4.95).
She will be joined in the rotation by fellow senior Chandler Moore and sophomore Mattison Maisel.
Tech will follow its season opener against Montana with contests against UTSA, Colorado State, Nebraska and host New Mexico State. The Red Raiders will open their home slate on March 6 with a doubleheader against Utah Valley and Tennessee-Martin.
Fans can see all 18 home games at Rocky Johnson Field by purchasing an Olympic Sports Pass through the Texas Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH or online at texastech.com.
Giddy about THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE!!! Wreck Em Tech!!
-- Adrian Gregory (@CoachGregoryTTU) January 14, 2015
