Series Preview: Maine Black Bears

Texas Tech Red Raiders (0-0) vs Maine Black Bears (0-0)

Game times

Friday: 2:00 PM

Saturday: 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM

Sunday: 2:00 PM

Probable starters

Friday: RHP Davis Martin (4-2, 3.07 ERA) vs RHP Justin Courtney (4-5, 3.92 ERA)

Saturday (1st): LHP Stephen Gingery (10-1, 1.58 ERA) vs LHP Eddie Emerson (3-0, 4.88 ERA)

Saturday (2nd): RHP John McMillon (2-0, 1.75 ERA) vs RHP Nick Silva (2-2, 4.64 ERA)

Sunday: LHP Erikson Lanning (3-1, 3.12 ERA) vs RHP Chris Murphy (0-2, 8.04 ERA)

*All stats from the 2017 season

The matchup

The Red Raiders open up the 2018 campaign with a four game series against the Maine Black Bears. The Black Bears come in to Lubbock behind second year head coach Nick Derba, who took over as the interim head coach last season. The Black Bears have had success in the past with seven College World Series Appearances going back to 1964. Despite its history, the Black Bears have not had a winning season since 2013 and have not made the post season since 2011. They made strides in the right direction last season after Derba took over. While Maine still has a long way to go, don’t be surprised if they find a way into the postseason within the next couple of years.

Players to watch

Nick Silva, the redshirt junior, finished last season with 62 strikeouts, the second most on the team. Senior Christopher Bec started all 54 games last year primarily as the DH. He led the team with a batting average of .340 and an on base percentage of 462. He also recorded 20 doubles, 30 earned walks and 21 steals.

Prediction

While I believe this is an improved Maine team from last season, the talent gap between these two teams is just to great, especially when it comes to pitching. I expect the Red Raiders to sweep the series.

Game 1: 4-1 Texas Tech

Game 2: 3-0 Texas Tech

Game 3: 4-0 Texas Tech

Game 4: 3-1 Texas Tech