Texas Tech University Athletics
Softball Earns Trio of Preseason Rankings
January 28, 2020 | Softball
The Red Raiders rank among the nation’s top 25 teams in now four polls.
LUBBOCK, Texas – Leading up to the start of the 2020 season, the Texas Tech softball team earned its first USA Today/NFCA, ESPN.com/USA Softball and Softball America preseason nods in program history after it was picked among the nation's top 25 teams, announced by the organizations on Tuesday. Â
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Texas Tech was named the No. 18 team in the country in the USA Today/NFCA and Softball America Preseason Polls and the No. 19 squad by ESPN.com/USA Softball.
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This marks the first time in program history that the Red Raiders have earned preseason distinction from the three organizations.
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The Red Raiders previously received votes in the 1999 (NFCA), 2000 (NFCA), 2011 (USA), 2012 (NFCA, USA) and 2013 (NFCA, USA) preseason polls.
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Entering her sixth season at the helm, head coach Adrian Gregory returned the bulk of last year's roster and has added several key pieces to the Red Raider puzzle. Tech retained its entire outfield, 1-2 punch in the circle and the majority of its solid infield. Helping fill in the gaps, Tech welcomes seven talented freshmen and two major transfers – junior catcher Maddie Westmoreland (Indiana) and redshirt senior pitcher GiGi Wall (Oklahoma City College).
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The Red Raiders' 2019 campaign marked the best of Gregory's tenure, as well as one of the most successful runs in program history. Strong offense, combined with an improved defense, powered Tech to its first NCAA Regional Tournament appearance since 2012 and helped Tech to a record 14 straight weeks ranked in the top 25. The Red Raiders received their first top-10 ranking in program history and also spent six weeks among the nation's top-15 teams.
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Tech's 42-16 record tied for the second-highest win total in program history and six student-athletes garnered All-Big 12 recognition. Gregory's crew finished fourth in the Big 12 and earned its first three-game sweep over Baylor to date. The Red Raiders stunned the nation with a 13-game win streak to start the year, which included statement wins over then-ranked No. 13 Arizona State, No. 17 Oregon, No. 21 Auburn, Wisconsin and a pair of wins over Drake. Tech posted 12 shutouts in 2019 as well as 13 run-rules.
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This season, the Red Raiders face a challenging 2020 slate which features 16 home contests at Rocky Johnson Field and 23 games against 2019 postseason teams.
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Tech will go head-to-head against 16 opponents who reached the 2019 NCAA Tournament, including half of the field at the Women's College World Series. Highlighting the 2020 schedule is the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational and Judi Garman Classic, where Tech be tested against a number of the nation's premier softball programs.
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For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Texas Tech was named the No. 18 team in the country in the USA Today/NFCA and Softball America Preseason Polls and the No. 19 squad by ESPN.com/USA Softball.
Â
This marks the first time in program history that the Red Raiders have earned preseason distinction from the three organizations.
Â
The Red Raiders previously received votes in the 1999 (NFCA), 2000 (NFCA), 2011 (USA), 2012 (NFCA, USA) and 2013 (NFCA, USA) preseason polls.
Â
Entering her sixth season at the helm, head coach Adrian Gregory returned the bulk of last year's roster and has added several key pieces to the Red Raider puzzle. Tech retained its entire outfield, 1-2 punch in the circle and the majority of its solid infield. Helping fill in the gaps, Tech welcomes seven talented freshmen and two major transfers – junior catcher Maddie Westmoreland (Indiana) and redshirt senior pitcher GiGi Wall (Oklahoma City College).
Â
The Red Raiders' 2019 campaign marked the best of Gregory's tenure, as well as one of the most successful runs in program history. Strong offense, combined with an improved defense, powered Tech to its first NCAA Regional Tournament appearance since 2012 and helped Tech to a record 14 straight weeks ranked in the top 25. The Red Raiders received their first top-10 ranking in program history and also spent six weeks among the nation's top-15 teams.
Â
Tech's 42-16 record tied for the second-highest win total in program history and six student-athletes garnered All-Big 12 recognition. Gregory's crew finished fourth in the Big 12 and earned its first three-game sweep over Baylor to date. The Red Raiders stunned the nation with a 13-game win streak to start the year, which included statement wins over then-ranked No. 13 Arizona State, No. 17 Oregon, No. 21 Auburn, Wisconsin and a pair of wins over Drake. Tech posted 12 shutouts in 2019 as well as 13 run-rules.
Â
This season, the Red Raiders face a challenging 2020 slate which features 16 home contests at Rocky Johnson Field and 23 games against 2019 postseason teams.
Â
Tech will go head-to-head against 16 opponents who reached the 2019 NCAA Tournament, including half of the field at the Women's College World Series. Highlighting the 2020 schedule is the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational and Judi Garman Classic, where Tech be tested against a number of the nation's premier softball programs.
Â
For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
C/INF
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