Tech primed for final Big 12 series against No. 7 Oklahoma State

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech will welcome No. 7 Oklahoma State in the squad's final Big 12 series starting Friday at Rocky Johnson Field.

The Red Raiders (30-19, 4-11 Big 12) and Cowgirls (39-8, 8-4 Big 12) will square off in Tech's final regular season games of the season. Friday night's first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. All three games will be aired on ESPN+.

Tech will honor its six seniors – Ellie Bailey, Peyton Blythe, Makinzy Herzog, Morgan Hornback, Kendall Fritz and Page Mindedahl - on Sunday prior to the 12 p.m. contest.

The Red Raiders check into the weekend series after dropping the series to Kansas last weekend. Tech picked up the Saturday afternoon win but was not able to grab a second game from the Jayhawks.

Kailey Wyckoff continues to make a campaign for Big 12 Freshman of the Year. The utility ranks fourth in the conference in batting average, fourth in hits, first in triples, eighth in runs scored, second in doubles, first in total bases, eighth in on-base percentage and fifth in slugging percentage.

KNOW YOUR FOE
Oklahoma State looks to bounce back after getting swept on the road at Texas last weekend. Leading the way for Oklahoma State on offense are Rachel Becker and Kiley Naomi. Becker currently ranks in the top 10 nationally in batting average, doubles, hits and on-base percentage while Naomi is NCAA DI active career leader in games played (251).

Kelly Maxwell anchors the Oklahoma State pitching staff as the Big 12 Conference leader in hits allowed per seven innings (3.22), saves (five), strikeouts (171) and strikeouts per seven innings (11.5).

QUICK HITTERS
• 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 in the nation with 87 doubles.
• In Friday night's win over Baylor, the Red Raiders smashed three home runs to bring their season total to 64, smashing the single-season home run record of 63 set in 2012. Tech currently has 73 home runs on the season.
• During the Red Raiders trip to El Paso, Texas for UTEP's tournament, the team coined a new softball-specific - Dwayne the Rock. During Dwayne's first tournament with the team, Tech posted a perfect 6-0 record and has since decided to keep him along for the rest of the 2023 campaign and can be seen with Page Mindedahl during starting lineups, every game.
• After downing No. 25 Texas State in a doubleheader and toppling No. 22 Maryland, Texas Tech won three consecutive ranked matchups for just the third time in program history. With last Friday night's win over No. 18 Baylor, Tech has four ranked wins for the first time since 2019.
• Of Texas Tech's 19 losses, seven of those have been by just one run (Tulsa, UT Arlington, Seton Hall, Texas (2), Iowa State, Kansas).
• After just 27 plate appearances her freshman season, Demi Elder has come up clutch in the outfield for the Red Raiders. She's seen action in 41 games with 30 starts so far this season. The left-handed hitter has already tripled her at-bats from a year ago and tallied 10 extra-base hits after only have two hits total last season. Normally known for her speed, she has developed a home run hitting swing under Coach Snider. The sophomore was responsible for the home run that would break the single-season program record.
• Senior Ellie Bailey etched her name in Texas Tech's single-season home run record. She ranks fourth with 16 bombs so far this season.

Tech primed for final Big 12 series against No. 7 Oklahoma State

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Players Mentioned

Ellie Bailey

Peyton Blythe

Demi Elder

Kendall Fritz

Makinzy Herzog

Morgan Hornback

Page Mindedahl

Kailey Wyckoff