No. 7 Tech Preps for Final Road Series at OU

LUBBOCK, Texas – After a weekend off, the No. 7 Texas Tech baseball team returns to action this weekend with a three-game series at Oklahoma, starting Friday from L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla.

The weekend set gets underway Friday with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Game two is set for Saturday at 2 p.m., and the finale will take place Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Red Raiders (31-11; 10-8) and Sooners (24-23; 8-10) are getting together for the second time in 10 days as the two clubs previously met in Amarillo for a non-conference matchup on May 4 with Tech hitting four home runs on its way to a 14-4 victory.

The midweek contest at HODGETOWN was the last time Tech took the diamond after having its weekend series against UIC canceled due to COVID protocols in the Flames' program.

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Red Raiders are looking to make a case for a top-8 national seed as they head to Norman. Tech currently sits in third in the Big 12 standings, but boasts series wins over both No. 6 TCU and No. 5 Texas, the No. 9 RPI in the country and a higher strength of schedule (17^th) than both the Horned Frogs (21^st) and the Longhorns (22^nd).

Friday's matchup between the Red Raiders and Sooners will mark the 92^nd all-time between the two programs and the eighth between long-time friends Tim Tadlock and Skip Johnson. Tadlock owns a 15-10 record against Oklahoma since his arrival in 2013. Under his watch, the Red Raiders have won 4-of-7 season series, including a road sweep in Norman in 2019. Tadlock is 5-1 against Johnson since he took over for the Sooners in 2018.

While Tech has been off for 10 days, Oklahoma has played four times. The Sooners went to Morgantown last weekend and earned a series win over the Mountaineers, claiming both games of a Saturday doubleheader (8-7, 9-1) to head home with the series victory. They turned around to play a non-conference game with Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Tulsa, falling 7-3.

PITCHING MATCHUP
Gm 1: LHP Patrick Monteverde (6-2; 3.26) vs. RHP Jason Ruffcorn (4-1, 1.43)
Gm 2: RHP Micah Dallas (2-2, 3.30) vs. LHP Braden Carmichael (6-1, 3.88)
Gm 3: LHP Mason Montgomery (2-3, 4.62) vs. TBD

GAME COVERAGE
Friday's opener and Sunday's finale will be available on SoonerSports.TV. Fans must pay for a subscription in order to access the stream. Game two will be broadcast on Bally Sports OK and the Bally Sports app. As always, fans can listen to the radio call on the Texas Tech Sports Network, featuring Geoff Haxton and Jamie Lent on the call.

NON-CON SUCCESS
Tech's midweek win over Oklahoma last week moved the Red Raiders to 8-0 in midweek games for the 2021 season. The Red Raiders have grown dominant in midweek play under Tadlock with wins in 21 of their last 27 midweek games dating back to the start of 2019. In addition to the midweek success, Tech will finish the regular season with 21 consecutive non-conference wins after an 0-3 start at the College Baseball Showdown.

OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
Offensively, there are five statistical categories Tech ranks in the top-15 nationally plus either first or second in the conference: Slugging (10th nationally/1st Big 12), HR per game (11th nationally, 2nd Big 12), home runs (12th nationally, 2nd Big 12), on base percentage (15th nationally, 2nd Big 12), and scoring (15th nationally, 2nd Big 12).

PITCHING AND DEFENSE
While known for its hitting, Tech has quietly pieced together a strong season defensively as the Red Raider pitching staff ranks 33^rd nationally and second in the Big 12 in hits allowed per nine innings. Spectacular outfield plays have been the norm as of late, but the Tech infield has been consistent all year as it continues to rank in the top 30 nationally in double plays and 2^nd in the league. Left-handed starters Patrick Monteverde and Mason Montgomery are both in the top eight of the league's qualifying pitchers in opposing batting average (.221).

INDIVIDUAL STAND-OUTS

Jace Jung: In his second season in Lubbock, Jace Jung ranks fifth nationally in RBI and sixth in home runs to put him in the running for Big 12 Player of the Year. He is also top 20 nationally in total bases and slugging. He has reached base in all 42 games this season, which is the second longest active streak in the country.
Dru Baker: After hitting .266 in the COVID-shortened season, Dru Baker enters the weekend hitting .393 to lead all Big 12 players. Baker is 16th nationally and second in the league in hits per game and also ranks near the top 25 nationally in runs per game. Baker is hitting .395 (15-for-38) over the last 9 games with five doubles and a triple.
Cal Conley: Cal Conley's 58 hits on the year rank right up there with Baker (59) and Jung (57). A switch hitter, Conley has been special over the last 15 games, hitting a team-best .361 and tied for the team lead with 5 home runs. He has 8 multi-hit games over that 15 game stretch and 18 on the year, which is second on the team.
Braxton Fulford: Junior catcher Braxton Fulford has thrown out 18 would-be base stealers and picked off several more. The Lubbock native has more than doubled his career home run total with 11 this season after entering the year with five to his name.
Ryan Sublette: Right-hander Ryan Sublette earned a win and a save in Tech's crucial series win at No. 3 Texas. Sublette is up to six wins on the year, tied for the team lead, and has two saves to his name.

For the latest on Texas Tech Baseball follow @TTU_Baseball on Twitter.

No. 7 Tech Preps for Final Road Series at OU

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Players Mentioned

Dru Baker

Cal Conley

Micah Dallas

Braxton Fulford

Jace Jung

Patrick Monteverde

Mason Montgomery

Ryan Sublette