Softball Travels to No. 22 Long Beach State Wednesday

Wednesday, March 14

Long Beach, CA

4 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

Long Beach State

Softball Travels to No. 22 Long Beach State Wednesday

March 13, 2018 | Softball

Game Notes Big 12 Notes Live Stats

Red Raiders have won nine of their last 11 games to earn a vote in the NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech softball begins the second leg of its California tour with a midweek bout at No. 22 Long Beach State on Wednesday, March 14, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. CT at the LBSU Softball Complex.

The Red Raiders (16-8) had a successful start to their 10-day stay in California, finishing 4-1 at the CSUN Tournament last weekend, including a win over Oregon State. With wins in nine of its last 11 games, Tech earned a vote in this week's NFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll for the first time since the 2013 preseason poll.

Redshirt freshman Heaven Burton hit .500 with two doubles and two triples over the weekend to lead the Red Raider offense. Featuring a 16-game hitting streak, the outfielder now leads the team in batting at .429 and ranks sixth in the nation with four triples on the year.

Junior Jessica Hartwell hit a home run and three doubles in Northridge. The infielder remains among the nation's leaders in home runs with 10 (4^th), RBI with 33 (8^th), and slugging percentage at 1.016 (5^th).

The Red Raider pitching staff continues to show improvement from 2017. Sophomore Kassidy Scott went the distance in the win over Oregon State, while freshman Erin Edmoundson also compiled two complete games on the weekend. Senior Cheyene Powell has also been strong for a staff that ranks fourth in the league with a 2.35 ERA.

The 49ers (19-7) are coming off a one-run loss to No. 3 UCLA on Sunday. The Beach were at home last weekend for the first time all season after playing the first four weeks of the year on the road. LBSU has three ranked wins this season, including over No. 21 James Madison, No. 12 Auburn and No. 21 Minnesota.

Leading the Beach in the circle is sophomore Cielo Meza, who threw a no-hitter against No. 21 Minnesota. LBSU also features back-to-back Big West Player of the Weeks in freshmen Naomi Hernandez and Nichole Fry.

Head coach Adrian Gregory is 1-0 all-time against Long Beach State after earning a 4-2 win against Long Beach State in 2016. Tech has won two of the last three meetings against the Beach, however the 49ers hold a 3-2 edge overall in a series that dates back to 1999.

Texas Tech is looking for its first road win over a ranked team since 2013. The Red Raiders were 1-9 against ranked foes last season with the win coming against No. 21 Cal State Fullerton in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

No stream will be available, but fans can follow along via live stats at BeachLiveStats.com. As always, @TexasTechSB will provide live updates.

UP NEXT
Following Wednesday's midweek tilt, the Red Raiders will head to Riverside, Calif., for the final five games of its California tour, where Tech will take on Purdue, Idaho State and UC Riverside. The event begins Friday with Idaho State at 11 a.m. CT., followed by Purdue at 1:30 p.m. CT.