Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Slotted at No. 6 in D1Baseball Preseason Poll
January 13, 2020 | Baseball
Red Raiders ranked inside the top 10 of all three preseason polls released.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech baseball debuts at No. 6 in the D1Baseball Preseason Top 25 poll, the publication announced Monday morning.
It's the first time this preseason the Red Raiders have been ranked outside the top three in the country as both Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Perfect Game ranked Tech at No. 3 in their respective preseason polls.
This marks the third straight year Tech has opened inside D1Baseball's top 10, entering both the 2018 and 2019 seasons ranked third in the country.
Tech is the highest of three Big 12 teams in the poll, ahead of Oklahoma State (22) and Oklahoma (24). Meanwhile, three non-conference opponents are featured in the top 20, including Mississippi State (10), Florida State (12) and Stanford (17).
Tech finished a historic 2019 campaign at No. 4 in D1Baseball's final poll. The Red Raiders finished among the last four teams remaining at the College World Series and posted a 46-20 record while winning its third Big 12 title in four years and earning its fourth trip to Omaha in six seasons.
Entering his eight year as head coach, Tim Tadlock returns a strong nucleus of 20 returners from last year's squad. A pair of Freshman All-America pitchers return in Friday night starter Micah Dallas and closer Clayton Beeter. Senior John McMillon is also back for his final year after being drafted in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Veterans Brian Klein, Dylan Neuse and Braxton Fulford look to anchor the lineup.
Opening Day for the Red Raiders is set for Friday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. against Houston Baptist. The matchup launches a four-game weekend for Tech as they host HBU for two games Friday and Saturday before facing Northern Colorado on Saturday and Sunday.
Starting position from @d1baseball.
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) January 13, 2020
??#WreckEm?? pic.twitter.com/UX184hLbJy
