Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Gardner-Webb
Red Raiders Head to Tuscaloosa for Easton Bama Bash
February 23, 2017 | Softball
Texas Tech prepares for five games in Tuscaloosa, including pair at No. 10 Alabama.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech softball makes its third straight road trip to start the 2017 season as it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the Easton Bama Bash, hosted by No. 10/7 Alabama, Feb. 24-26 at Rhoads Stadium.
The Red Raiders (6-4) open play Friday at 11 a.m. CST against Gardner-Webb (3-10) before taking on the Crimson Tide (8-2) at 6 p.m. CST. Two more games await the Red Raiders on Saturday starting with a second matchup against the Crimson Tide at 4 p.m. CST and a battle with UCF (3-4) at 6 p.m. CST. Tech then wraps up the event Sunday taking on Gardner-Webb at 11 a.m. CST.
Tech's matchups with the Crimson Tide will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and available on the WatchESPN app. Links to the streams, as well as live stats, can be found at the tournament central page.
LEADING OFF
• The Red Raiders made program history last weekend by taking part in its first international event, the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tech posted a 3-2 mark at the event, capped off by a 9-6 win over No. 21 Fresno State.
• Tech's win over No. 21 Fresno State was its first win over a ranked team since a 2-0 shutout of No. 22 California on Feb. 20, 2016.
• Texas Tech will make its first trip to Tuscaloosa since March 6, 1998 when the Red Raiders beat Alabama, 2-1.
• Texas Tech assistant coach Amanda Locke makes her return to Tuscaloosa where she was a member of Alabama's 2012 Women's College World Series team.
• Texas Tech also has ties to UCF head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie, who was Texas Tech's head coach for five seasons when it reinstated the program in 1996.
• Freshman pitcher Kassidy Scott leads all Big 12 freshman with a 1.37 ERA through seven appearances, which ranks fourth overall in the conference.
• Senior Devon Thomey recorded an inside-the-park home run in Puerto Vallarta, her first home run since 2015 and first inside-the-park home run of her career. It was also Tech's first inside-the-park home run since 2015 when Jordan Bettiol hit one.
• Freshman outfielder Raina O'Neal leads the team in home runs with four after hitting one in Puerto Vallarta. Sophomore Jessica Hartwell also connected on a pair of home runs South of the Border, including her first career grand slam.
SERIES HISTORIES
Gardner-Webb: Friday's contest will be the first between Texas Tech and Gardner-Webb.
Alabama: The Red Raiders and Crimson Tide will meet for the first time since 2002 with the series split 1-1.
UCF: The Red Raiders and Knights meet for the fifth time overall with the series split 2-2.
