Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Baseball Hosts First Team Practice
January 24, 2020 | Baseball
Red Raiders open team practices Friday afternoon three weeks ahead of Opening Day.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech baseball held its first team practice of the spring on Friday afternoon at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park in preparation for the 2020 season.
Coming off their deepest run yet at the College World Series, the Red Raiders have three weeks to gear up for their 2020 campaign as they look to defend their Big 12 title and make another run in to Omaha.
Opening Day 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.
While individual workouts started on the first day of classes, Friday marked the official start of spring practices as the Red Raiders split into infield and outfield groups to start, came together for pitchers' fielding practice, took batting practice and then performed their in and out routine before holding a six-inning intrasquad to close the day.
Head coach Tim Tadlock, junior catcher Braxton Fulford and sophomore right-hander Micah Dallas met with the media before practice to preview the club and express their excitement for the weeks and months ahead.
"We've got some really good competition at every spot," head coach Tim Tadlock said. "We lost some really big pieces, but the neat thing is there are a number of guys within this clubhouse that we could be talking about them the same way we talked about those guys."
"I got a lot stronger this offseason," Fulford said about his plan for development heading into 2020. "Last year I put a big emphasis on offense and improving there. This year, it's been a personal goal to be better defensively and improve in some specific ways there."
"I really think we have one of the deepest bullpens and starting rotations in the nation," Dallas said of the pitching staff. "I have no idea where everyone is going to be, but I think it's going to be something special to watch."
Tech finished a historic 2019 campaign as high as No. 4 in final polls. The Red Raiders went 46-20, won its third Big 12 title in the last four years before making its fourth trip to the College World Series in the last six seasons where they finished as one of the last four teams remaining.
Tadlock enters his eight season with a strong nucleus of 20 returners. Two-third of the weekend rotation returns in Freshman All-America Micah Dallas and Bryce Bonnin, while John McMillon is back for his senior 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.
For all things Texas Tech Baseball, be sure to follow @TTU_Baseball on Twitter and Instagram and like the team on Facebook. Visit www.TexasTech.com for news, roster and schedule info and more.Â
