No. 15 Tech Readies to Host No. 16 Oklahoma State

Friday, April 26

Lubbock, TX

6:30 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

Oklahoma State

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No. 15 Tech Readies to Host No. 16 Oklahoma State

April 25, 2019 | Baseball

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The Red Raiders and Cowboys will square off on April 26-28, at Rip Griffin Park.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 15 Texas Tech baseball gears up for another key Big 12 home series as it hosts No. 16 Oklahoma State for a three-game series at Rip Griffin Park.

Friday night's game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on TexasTech.TV, while Saturday's contest is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Sunday's game will air on FOX Sports Southwest Plus at 2 p.m. As always, all three games can be heard on the Texas Tech Sports Network on 97.3 FM, the 97.3 app, the TuneIn app and at TexasTech.com.

The three-game series, presented by ProPetro, will feature 90's Music Night on Friday and Military Day on Sunday. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by calling or visiting the Texas Tech Ticket Office (806-742-TECH) or purchasing online. Fans are reminded that Texas Tech's Clear Bag Policy is in effect for all home athletic events in 2018-19.

The Red Raiders (26-13, 8-7) enter the weekend two games back of the league-leading Cowboys (25-13, 10-5). With three weeks remaining in the regular season, Tech is tied for third place in the Big 12 standings and one of six teams at .500 or better in league play.

Both squads are ranked in the top 25 of both the national rankings and the RPI heading into this weekend's bout. Tech is currently No. 17 in the RPI with the No. 17 overall strength of schedule. OSU comes in at No. 21 in the RPI with the 19th ranked strength of schedule in the country. The Red Raiders are ranked as high as No. 15 by two different polls, while Oklahoma State is as high as No. 16 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Tech is coming off three consecutive wins after taking the final two games of the series against No. 18 Baylor and a midweek win over New Mexico. Two sellout crowds fueled the series victory over the Bears and will look to do the same against the Cowboys as Tech holds an 18-4 record at home this season and is 5-1 at home against ranked foes.

One of the hottest offenses in the country, OSU put up 36 runs in a three-game sweep of No. 19 Texas last weekend. A week prior, the Cowboys put on one of the most impressive performances in the country this season with 12 home runs in a 27-6 victory in the series opener at Kansas.

Friday will mark the 77th meeting between the two programs with OSU holding a 36-42 advantage all-time. Tech swept all four contests against OSU last season and is 7-3 in the last 10 games. Despite sweeping the Cowboys in the last two meetings in Stillwater, Tech will aim to improve its 16-20 record against the Cowboys in Lubbock and win its first series against OSU at home since 2011.

Last year, Tech closed out its regular season with a three-game sweep of No. 14 Oklahoma State in Stillwater. The series helped propel the Red Raiders into the postseason with a No. 9 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and a run to its third College World Series in the last five years.

Texas Tech boasts one of the nation's top offensive attacks with a unit that ranks No. 15 in scoring, 15th in batting, 10th in on base percentage and ninth in base on balls. Senior Cameron Warren leads the Big 12 in RBI and ranks 20th nationally.

Through 15 conference games, Tech's pitching staff has improved its numbers over last season. The staff's ERA in conference play is 3.80, more than a run better than at the same point last year (5.08). Tech has also issued 55 walks, down from 77 last year, and 55 earned runs, down from 74 last year.

Head coach Tim Tadlock will send out a trio of right-handers this weekend with Freshman Micah Dallas to the mound Friday night, followed by junior Caleb Kilian on Saturday and sophomore Bryce Bonnin on Sunday. Dallas, who is 2-0 as a starter with a 3.77 ERA, will start the opener of a Big 12 series for the third time this season. Kilian, meanwhile, has won each of his last six starts. Sunday will be the first Big 12 start for Bonnin.

The Cowboys will counter with junior right-hander Jensen Elliot on Friday, sophomore lefty Parker Scott on Saturday and redshirt freshman right-hander Brett Standlee on Sunday. Elliot (5-2) is coming off a one-hit, complete-game shutout of No. 19 Texas last Thursday.

Following the weekend series, Tech closes out a nine-game home stand with a pair of midweek matchups against UTRGV (25-14, 11-4 WAC). The two-game set begins Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on Bark in the Park night at Rip Griffin Park.