Red Raiders Host Baylor for Big 12 Opening Weekend

Friday, March 26

Lubbock, TX

6:00 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

Baylor

Tickets

Red Raiders Host Baylor for Big 12 Opening Weekend

March 25, 2021 | Softball

Game Notes Big 12 Now on ESPN+Live Stats

It is the first time since 2018 the Bears have traveled to Lubbock

By: Katie Moseley

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech (16-10) opens Big 12 play at home this weekend with a three-game series against RV Baylor (18-5) at Rocky Johnson Field.

The series is set to begin Friday with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The two teams will square off again Saturday at 4:00 p.m. before wrapping up the series Sunday at noon.

All games will be available to stream on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with Nick Rice on the call.

RED RAIDER QUICK HITS

The Red Raiders made national headlines last weekend after a record-setting performance Sunday against Tarleton State. Tech tallied three grand slams in a 23-0 routing of the Texans, while throwing a no-hitter. The Red Raiders hit two grand slams in the third inning to tie an NCAA record for grand slams in an inning.
Senior Karli Hamilton set a program record with two grand slams and nine RBI in the blowout win over Tarleton State. The two grand slams also tied an NCAA record for grand slams in a game by an individual. Only 13 players in NCAA history have tallied more RBI in a single game. Hamilton was named Big 12 Player of the Week for her performance on the weekend which included six hits, three home runs and 13 RBI.
Missy Zoch tossed her second career no-hitter, first as a Red Raider on Sunday against the Texans. Zoch tied her season-high with eight strikeouts in just five innings of work. The no-hitter was the eighth in program history and the first since Erin Edmoundson in 2019. Zoch was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week for the first time in her career after the no-hitter and a one-hit shutout against UTEP.
After hitting just 10 home runs through the first 20 games the Red Raiders smashed nine long balls in six games during the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic. Ellie Bailey and Arriana Villa each recorded their first career home runs while Peyton Blythe, Kennedy Crites and Hamilton added on to their season total. The Red Raiders smashed four grand slams on the weekend, two from Hamilton and one each from Blythe and Bailey. Villa and Hamilton each finished the weekend with three home runs.
The Red Raider defense continues to improve, ranking seventh in the nation in fielding percentage (.983). The infield, comprised of upper classmen and freshmen, has limited errors while making some spectacular web gem plays through the first two months of the season. Tech ranks second in the conference in fielding percentage, just barely trailing Oklahoma.
Tech hosts Baylor for the first time since 2018 this weekend at Rocky Johnson Field. The Bears have dominated the series 51-18, but the Red Raiders have won the last four meetings with an upset in the 2018 Big 12 Tournament and a sweep of the Bears in Waco in 2019. Baylor comes into the weekend winners of eight of its last 10 games. They are receiving votes in both the NFCA and ESPN polls.