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Texas Tech’s pitching will be the best in the country

Tech posted a solid year on the mound in 2019, and there’s no reason why it can’t happen in 2020.

By kylekapper
Sophomore Micah Dallas
Photo courtesy of Texas Tech Athletics

Last season, Tech showed that their pitching corps is becoming the best in the country. Now, with a large part of the freshmen class being pitchers adding onto the already stacked bullpen of the Red Raiders, the 2020 baseball season could see the Texas Tech bullpen as the best in the country.

NCAA Baseball: College World Series-Michigan vs Texas Tech Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into 2020, the Red Raiders are led by sophomore right-hander Micah Dallas, who tossed 84 strikeouts, an ERA of 4.03 and a win-loss record of 7-2 in 2019. These stats anchoring him as a series opening starter throughout much of last season and on into this coming season. The Texas Tech bullpen also possesses weapons such as senior reliever Connor Queen, who posted a perfect 0.00 ERA in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, along with a 4-0 record, 13 strikeouts and a 1.06 ERA last season. Also, fellow senior, Dane Haveman, who’s late-game heroics lifted the Red Raiders passed Oklahoma State and into the College World Series posted the third-best statline on Tech’s roster last season with a 3.02 ERA, a 2-1 record, and threw for 59 strikeouts.

The freshmen pitching Tech has coming into this season are highlighted by Andrew Devine out of Simi Valley, California and Dillon Carter, who’s also an outfielder, from Flower Mound, Texas. Devine, a right hander, saw some time on the mound for Tech during their first exhibition bout against the Texas Rangers Futures Camp when he split the final four innings with junior Jakob Brustioski. Carter, who also throws right, was stellar on the mound, tossing a 3-0 record and a .043 ERA during his senior campaign.

Last season, the Red Raiders threw 632 total strikeouts; a combined 46-20 record and a combined 4.01 ERA. All of these total more than that of Tech’s opponents last season, including the College World Series. Tech’s opponents put up 509 total strikeouts, a 20-46 record and a total ERA of 6.92. The 2019 season showcased a strong presence on the mound, and I firmly believe that if Tech can repeat that success in 2020 there’s no reason why they won’t become the best in the country.

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