Texas Tech University Athletics
Fall Matchup Brings Siblings Together in Competition
October 21, 2016 | Softball
Tech senior Susan Welborn faces sister and first-year head coach of ENMU, Katie, Saturday
Friends may come and go, but sisters are forever. They will always have each other's back when times are tough, but not in this case.
The Texas Tech softball team is scheduled to play an eight-game fall slate starting Saturday with a doubleheader against Howard College and Eastern New Mexico. With five teams traveling to Lubbock over the course of the fall season, there is one game in particular that hits close to home for Texas Tech Senior Susan Welborn.
Welborn will not only be competing against visiting teams, but her sister as well.
Susan's older sister, Katie Welborn, is the first-year head coach for Eastern New Mexico. A former Lubbock Christian assistant and NFCA All-American, Katie Welborn has mixed emotions as she looks forward to the game.
"I am excited to play her, but it is the weirdest feeling," the elder Welborn said. "I want to root for Susan, but I also want to strike her out."
Katie, who was a catcher at Tarleton State before getting into coaching, said she and Susan have enjoyed a healthy sibling rivalry over the years.
"Susan is a great softball player," Katie said. "I like to tease her about how she got to watch me play and that's why she is so good, but we all know that Susan is the better athlete."
Though the two sisters like to banter at each other, Susan, who started 54 games for the Red Raiders last season and hit 11 home runs, turns to Katie for advice when she needs it most.
"I love being able to talk to her and talk about what I am having trouble with," Susan said, "I can always come to her for advice and get her perspective on things when I have questions."
Susan and Katie come from a long lineage of athletes. Her father, Sam Welborn, was a first round draft pick for the Philadelphia Phillies and her mother is an inductee to the Synchronized Swimming National Hall of Fame. The two also have a third sister, Emily, who plays basketball at Midwestern State.
Just like her father, Susan was a pitcher in high school.
"She could throw really hard, and my ankles and toes are living proof of that," Sam Welborn said.
While Sam made it big on the baseball diamond, the family also has a rich history with softball that stretches many generations.
"My grandfather played softball, my father played softball and my brother and I played in a league in Wichita Falls." Sam Welborn said
According to Sam, who was drafted by the Phillies out of high school, Texas Tech University and the softball program have been a tremendous fit for Susan.
"You cannot find a better coach than coach (Adrian) Gregory," the girls' father said. "She always has her mind on her girls and she makes them her first priority. If I had to do it again, I would have gone to Texas Tech."
Texas Tech head coach Adrian Gregory is looking forward to seeing the two sisters unite Saturday to square off against one another from opposite sides.
"It is a special thing what Susan and Katie are getting to do," Gregory said. "They have both worked very hard in their perspective careers and it absolutely couldn't happen to a better family."
Texas Tech is scheduled to play Eastern New Mexico at 2:30 p.m., or following the conclusion of the Red Raiders' first game of the day against Howard College at noon. All eight of Texas Tech's fall exhibition games will be played at Rocky Johnson Field. Admission is free.
The Texas Tech softball team is scheduled to play an eight-game fall slate starting Saturday with a doubleheader against Howard College and Eastern New Mexico. With five teams traveling to Lubbock over the course of the fall season, there is one game in particular that hits close to home for Texas Tech Senior Susan Welborn.
Welborn will not only be competing against visiting teams, but her sister as well.
Susan's older sister, Katie Welborn, is the first-year head coach for Eastern New Mexico. A former Lubbock Christian assistant and NFCA All-American, Katie Welborn has mixed emotions as she looks forward to the game.
"I am excited to play her, but it is the weirdest feeling," the elder Welborn said. "I want to root for Susan, but I also want to strike her out."
Katie, who was a catcher at Tarleton State before getting into coaching, said she and Susan have enjoyed a healthy sibling rivalry over the years.
"Susan is a great softball player," Katie said. "I like to tease her about how she got to watch me play and that's why she is so good, but we all know that Susan is the better athlete."
Though the two sisters like to banter at each other, Susan, who started 54 games for the Red Raiders last season and hit 11 home runs, turns to Katie for advice when she needs it most.
"I love being able to talk to her and talk about what I am having trouble with," Susan said, "I can always come to her for advice and get her perspective on things when I have questions."
Susan and Katie come from a long lineage of athletes. Her father, Sam Welborn, was a first round draft pick for the Philadelphia Phillies and her mother is an inductee to the Synchronized Swimming National Hall of Fame. The two also have a third sister, Emily, who plays basketball at Midwestern State.
Just like her father, Susan was a pitcher in high school.
"She could throw really hard, and my ankles and toes are living proof of that," Sam Welborn said.
While Sam made it big on the baseball diamond, the family also has a rich history with softball that stretches many generations.
"My grandfather played softball, my father played softball and my brother and I played in a league in Wichita Falls." Sam Welborn said
According to Sam, who was drafted by the Phillies out of high school, Texas Tech University and the softball program have been a tremendous fit for Susan.
"You cannot find a better coach than coach (Adrian) Gregory," the girls' father said. "She always has her mind on her girls and she makes them her first priority. If I had to do it again, I would have gone to Texas Tech."
Texas Tech head coach Adrian Gregory is looking forward to seeing the two sisters unite Saturday to square off against one another from opposite sides.
"It is a special thing what Susan and Katie are getting to do," Gregory said. "They have both worked very hard in their perspective careers and it absolutely couldn't happen to a better family."
Texas Tech is scheduled to play Eastern New Mexico at 2:30 p.m., or following the conclusion of the Red Raiders' first game of the day against Howard College at noon. All eight of Texas Tech's fall exhibition games will be played at Rocky Johnson Field. Admission is free.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballWCWS Championship Series Final - Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, June 07
WCWS Championship Game 3: Highlights
Friday, June 06
WCWS Championship Game 2: Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, June 05
WCWS Championship Game 2: Highlights
Thursday, June 05