Red Raiders continue home stand in the Texas Tech Invitational

Friday, March 10

Lubbock, Texas

3 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

Buffalo

Red Raiders continue home stand in the Texas Tech Invitational

March 09, 2023 | Softball

Game Notes Tournament Central Tickets

Tech will play host to Buffalo, New Mexico and Manhattan

By: Hanna Cooper

LUBBOCK, Texas – The Red Raiders will continue their 10-game home stand this weekend as they play host to Buffalo, New Mexico and Manhattan in the Texas Tech Invitational starting Friday at Rocky Johnson Field.

Texas Tech (15-7) will kick off the tournament Friday at 3 p.m. against Buffalo before taking on Manhattan in the 5:30 night cap. The Red Raiders will play a pair again at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday before closing the tournament at 12:30 p.m. Sunday against New Mexico. All of Texas Tech's contest will be aired live on EPSN+.

The Red Raiders finishes their first home tournament last weekend at 3-2 after picking up wins over North Dakota, Seton Hall and Rutgers. Tech pulled off an epic six-run comeback in the bottom of the seventh to power past the Scarlet Nights.

Freshman Kailey Wyckoff leads the Red Raider offense, batting .448 with eight doubles, a trio of triples and four home runs. Wyckoff and Peyton Blythe both enter the weekend clutching long reached base streaks at 17 and 19 games, respectively.

Texas Tech's Weekend Schedule
Friday: Texas Tech vs Buffalo – 3 p.m.
Texas Tech vs Manhattan – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: Texas Tech vs Manhattan – 3 p.m.
Texas Tech vs New Mexico – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: Texas Tech vs New Mexico – 12:30 p.m.

Quick Hitters
• As just a freshman, Kailey Wyckoff is quickly making a name for herself. The Katy, Texas native ranks seventh nationally in doubles (8), ninth in triples (3), 16th in total bases (52), 21st in slugging percentage (.897), 39th in hits (26) and 50th in batting average (448). She leads a veteran Texas Tech squad in batting average, slugging, total bases, doubles and triples.
• Head Coach Craig Snider has been quotes many times saying that "the sign of a good offense is hitting doubles," and his Red Raiders have mastered the craft. Texas Tech ranks second nationally in doubles behind Snider's former squad, FSU.
• On a pitching staff that all eight hurlers are seen, transfer Sage Hoover leads the way with 43.2 innings of work, a 2.89 ERA and 49 strikeouts. The righty holds an 8-0 record, ranking 12th nationally in victories.
• Led by first-year head coach Craig Snider, the Red Raiders 15-7 record puts them off to the program's best start since 2020.
• After hitting just 36 home runs throughout the whole 2022 season, the Red Raiders have already smashed 35 home runs through the first 22 games of the season.
• Fifth-year senior Peyton Blythe leads the squad with six home runs this season. Prior to this season, Blythe had just seven home runs total, three of which were hit in 2022.
• The Texas Tech Red Raiders begin a new era under head coach Craig Snider this season. Snider made previous stops at Texas A&M and Florida State as an assistant before becoming the ninth head coach in school history. The Franklin, Kentucky native brings a slew of post season experience, including a national championship.
• After spending the first 17 games away from the friendly confines of Rocky Johnson Field, the Red Raiders are now in the middle of a 10-game home stretch. Next week, Tech will hit the road for seven straight road contests. After this weekend, Tech will play just 1 of its next 11 at home.