Tech to take on No. 1 Oklahoma

LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech Red Raiders will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the nationally-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in a three-game series starting Thursday.

The Red Raiders (28-11, 2-4 Big 12) check into the weekend fresh off the first Big 12 series win of the Craig Snider era. Coach Snider became the first coach to win their debut home conference series since the Big 12 went to three-game series in 2012.

Kailey Wyckoff led the Red Raiders offensively, going 4-for-10 with four runs scored, a double, two home runs and four RBIs. Texas Tech smashed four home runs over the weekend. Tech is now just three home runs shy of the single-season program record (66, 2012).

The three-game series with the Sooners begins Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a Friday night 6 p.m. contest and a 1 p.m. Saturday finale. All three games will be aired on ESPN+.

KNOW YOUR FOE
No. 1 Oklahoma (33-1, 6-0 Big 12) come into the weekend after sweeping No. 9 Texas at home last weekend. The Sooners took home both Big 12 weekly awards.

Jordy Bahl was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after allowing just one run on two hits (0.81 ERA) in her three appearances (8.2 IP) on the weekend to go with two wins in the circle. The sophomore righty allowed UT just a .080 opponent batting average on the weekend.

Tiare Jennings, recently named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week, collected Big 12 Player of the Week, batting .727 on the weekend with two home runs, eight RBIs and a double for a 1.364 slugging clip.

Quick Hitters
• As just a freshman, Kailey Wyckoff is quickly making a name for herself. The freshman leads a veteran Texas Tech squad in batting average (.429), on-base percentage (.480), doubles (13), triples (4) and total bases (97). She ranks third nationally in doubles, fourth in total bases, 18th in triples, and 36th in batting average.
• 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 leads the nation with 82 doubles.
• On a pitching staff that all eight hurlers are seen, transfer Sage Hoover leads the way with 75.0 innings of work, a 2.24 ERA and 86 strikeouts. The righty holds an 14-0 record, ranking 10th nationally in victories.
• After hitting just 36 home runs throughout the whole 2022 season, the Red Raiders have already smashed 64 home runs. The team is just three homers shy of the program's single-season home run record (66, 2012).
• 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.
• This season, the Red Raiders have strung together two separate hefty win streaks. From February 11 to February 23, Texas Tech held a nine-game win streak while from March 10 to March 18, the Red Raiders held a 10-game win streak.
• What better way to clear your mind than baby goats? As a mid-season breather, Texas Tech head coach Craig Snider brought in five baby goats to the team's Thursday afternoon recovery session.
• Of Texas Tech's 12 losses, six of those have been by just one run (Tulsa, UT Arlington, Seton Hall, Texas (2), Iowa State).
• Senior Ellie Bailey etched her name in Texas Tech's single-season home run record. She ranks ninth with 13 bombs so far this season.

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Players Mentioned

Ellie Bailey

Sage Hoover

Page Mindedahl

Kailey Wyckoff

Texas Tech University Athletics