Monday Morning Matador: Sweep, falls and commencements y’all

It’s an odd transition from writing in the Fall to writing in the Spring; the content starts to flee from your hands like Spiderman in Infinity Wars. Nevertheless we still have Red Raiders putting it all on the line for the University so let’s get down to business!

Texas Tech graduates FORTY student-athletes

While we empathize with the pressures of being a collegiate athlete traveling the United States representing a school, there is a substantial portion of their title that is often forgotten. The student in student-athlete is the foundation of it all, and this weekend Texas Tech put the red stole that marks them as such on forty different Red Raiders. Forty wildly different paths in this world coming together to pursue higher education and higher athleticism at the same time. “We are so proud of each of these student-athletes and celebrate with them this important achievement in their journey” said Hocutt, “Watching them receive their diploma is a special moment and accomplishment that positions them for success in their chosen career.” So here’s to their continued success in the future - wherever they may go.

Baseball sweeps Oklahoma State in late season rally

After dropping a few recent series, the Texas Tech baseball team traveled to Stillwater, OK to take on Oklahoma State in the regular season finale. In Thursday’s match up, the Red Raiders used a two-run homer, followed by a five-run inning to seal the series opening victory with a final score of 9-4. Eight different Tech batters recorded a hit, with juniors Cody Farhat & Cameron Warren each producing multi-hit bids at the plate. Thursday would mark the 28^th time this season the Red Raiders have recorded 10 or more hits in a game. On Friday, the team launched an astounding five home runs over the wall, racking up 14 runs on 19 hits to demolish the Cowboys 14-6. It was the first time since April last season (2017) that Tech has hit five home runs in a game. Six different Red Raiders took the lead in this game for multi-hit bids. Sophomore Brian Klein put together his first four-hit game of the year (third in his career) with four runs to go with it. Three Tech hitters finished with multiple RBI in the contest, as sophomore Grant Little totaled SIX behind a pair of three-run homers. In the final showdown, the Red Raiders wasted no time getting on the board with three in the first inning. The game resulted in scoring seven runs on eight hits and taking the sweep over the Cowboys with a final tally of 7-3. The result of this game would push Texas past Oklahoma State - who had a two game lead in the Big 12 - and solidify the Longhorns as the regular season champions. Up next, the Red Raiders head to Oklahoma City for the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship, with the first set of games beginning on Wednesday, May 23, where they’ll be the No. 3 seed and face TCU at 7:30 p.m.

Women’s tennis falls to Duke in the quarterfinals

In a tough fight that kept our Lady Raiders going deeper in the NCAA tournament, they finally met their end. They fell to No. 3 Duke, 4-1, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships on Saturday after having a fantastic season. Most notably, advancing to the Elite Eight after defeated in-conference rival Texas 4-1 in the Round of 16. Coach Todd Petty had to say this after the loss: “It’s obviously not the outcome we were looking for, but I am so proud to have coached these young ladies. The fight in them is second to none. This senior class had an unbelievable career and laid a legacy that will be hard to beat.” Undoubtedly so. Up next for Sabrina Federici, Sarah Dvorak, Gabriela Talaba and Felicity Maltby is a competition in the Singles and Doubles set to begin next weekend at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex.

Softball ends their post-season in NISC regional final

Texas Tech softball had its season come to an end in the NISC regional final, falling to UT Arlington, 5-2. The Mavericks posted one big inning that would prove insurmountable by the Red Raiders. Tech up five runs in the second inning and despite efforts by multiple Red Raiders - was never to be surpassed. Texas Tech (31-28) ended the season with 30 wins and a winning season for the first time under head coach Adrian Gregory. The postseason berth also marked a first for the program since 2012. Four Red Raiders were named to the NISC All-Region Team, including outfielders Karli Hamilton and Burton, infielder Jessica Hartwell and pitcher Erin Edmoundson. Softball will lose three seniors to graduation and return all but one position starter for the 2019 season. One of the youngest teams in the nation in 2018, the Red Raiders will add eight incoming freshman for next season.

Coach Kittley and Oduduru awarded Big 12 post-season honors

Head Coach Wes Kittley and sprinter Divine Oduduru were awarded Big 12 postseason awards after an absolutely incredible indoor and outdoor track season. Coach Kittley was awarded the Men’s Coach of the Year after he led the Red Raiders to indoor and outdoor Big 12 championships for the first time in program history. Oduduru was awarded the Male Performer of the Year award after winning the 100m and 200m at the Big 12 Championships and being given the High Point award for scoring the most points at the meet. Coach Kittley had this to say about all the fuss, “Divine was spectacular in the Big 12 meet, running in the 100m, 200m and on our 4x100m relay team was something special to watch and I’m really proud of him. I am (also) very humbled with the honor of being Coach of the Year. My assistant coaches and my team deserve this award as much as I do. I am very thankful for this honor, especially since it’s voted upon by my fellow coaches.” Up next, the Red Raiders head to Sacramento, California next week for the NCAA West Preliminaries.

Congratulations to all of the graduates! Now get off my lawn.