:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55055995/usa_today_9348906.0.jpg)
Here we go folks. Ever since Tech left Omaha last year, this day has been marked on the calendars. To get back to Omaha, the Red Raiders had to get back to regional action, made better by earning home field advantage until the College World Series. You get to sleep in your own bed, play in your own dugout and on your own field. All that needs focusing is on the diamond.
Tech starts off the postseason with a matchup against the Delaware Blue Hens today at 2:00 pm while Arizona and Sam Houston State play at 6:00 tonight. All games throughout the regional will be broadcast online at WatchESPN and the Red Raider games can be heard on 97.3 FM. The format is similar to the Big 12 tournament in that it is a double elimination style.
The full #NCAABaseball Lubbock Regional bracket. #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/Jpc51MLbQK
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 29, 2017
Statistics Comparison and National Rank
Team Comparison
| Statistic | Delaware | Texas Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Statistic | Delaware | Texas Tech |
| Batting Average | 0.313 (14) | 0.306 (25) |
| HR/Game | 1.04 (46) | 0.93 (68) |
| 2B/Game | 2.04 (32) | 2.10 (24) |
| 3B/Game | 0.44 (8) | 0.45 (6) |
| Slugging % | 0.487 (13) | 0.472 (23) |
| OBP | 0.411 (9) | 0.391 (29) |
| Runs/Game | 7.5 (16) | 7.2 (22) |
| SB/Game | 1.05 (100) | 0.86 (161) |
| ERA | 4.35 (99) | 3.81 (48) |
| DP/Game | 0.75 (142) | 0.71 (178) |
| K:BB | 1.99 (124) | 2.01 (121) |
| Fielding % | 0.967 (182) | 0.979 (23) |
Both teams are very close in numbers except in one crucial category, ERA. Tech is a half run lower in ERA than Delaware, and this is even with some games that got truly out of hand in Albuquerque this season. Although the numbers are close, the quality of competition is not. The Big 12 was the #1 RPI conference in the nation, with 7 teams making the postseason. The Blue Hens play in the Colonial Athletic Association with teams such as the College of Charleston (whom Tech played in the 2014 Super Regional), North Carolina-Wilmington, William and Mary, and Northeastern. All of these teams were 120’s and below in RPI.
Pitching Matchup
It was announced this week that Davis Martin would be ready to go in the postseason after an average start in Oklahoma City last week, and will be starting today’s game. He currently has a 4-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in 35 innings pitched. The Blue Hens will have Ron Marinaccio on the mound, who is 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA. Ron is the clear ace of the staff and if Tech can get to their bullpen, will have a good chance at playing on Saturday evening in the winners bracket.