Here is your Texas Tech sports news roundup for Friday, February 21, 2025.
Texas Tech softball finally opens home schedule
After 11 games away from Lubbock, the No. 12 Texas Tech softball team will get to play in front of its home fans for the first time when the Red Raiders host the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic this weekend. A full house is expected at Rocky Johnson Field which has been expanded to now feature outfield seating.
The Red Raiders open the weekend against Detroit Mercy (0-5) on Friday before having a doubleheader on Saturday at 12 p.m. against UIC (4-6) and 2:30 p.m. against Indiana (8-1). Tech will then face the Hoosiers on Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. before taking on UTEP (7-2) at 2 p.m. The homestand concludes with a 12 p.m. Monday matchup against the Miners.
Of course, junior star NiJaree Canady is who everyone in the Hub City wants to see in person. This year, she has struck out 61 hitters to lead the nation. In 33.2 innings in the circle, she's allowed just four walks while posting a 0.62 ERA. Meanwhile, at the plate, she's hitting .304 with two homers and nine RBI.
Every game this weekend except for the UIC contest on Saturday at Noon will be available on ESPN+.
Texas Tech baseball also opens its home slate
After being swept by No. 6 North Carolina in Chapel Hill in the opening weekend of the 2025 season, the Texas Tech baseball team will look to get in the win column this weekend when it hosts UC Irvine for a three-game series.
The series begins with a 2 p.m. tilt on Friday afternoon. Then, the teams will meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Mac Heuer will get the start on Friday with Lukas Pirko taking the hill on Saturday and Jack Cebert starting Sunday's finale.
Texas Tech Lady Raiders' losing streak continues
Unfortunately, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders' losing streak moved to seven games on Wednesday night with a 59-56 home loss to Cincinnati. That means that it has been a month since that team has won a game.
Against the Bearcats, Jasmine Shavers led the way with 22 points. That was thanks in large part due to six three-pointers.
However, no other Lady Raider topped 10 points. What's more, Bailey Maupin, who averages nearly 13 points per game managed to score just five.
Tech led 24-23 at halftime and the teams both tallied 20 points in the third quarter. However, the home team would muster just 12 fourth-quarter points which wasn't enough to pull out a much-needed win.
Next, the Lady Raiders look to get back in the win column Saturday when they play a terrible UCF team. The Knights are just 9-16 overall and 2-13 in Big 12 play this season so hopefully this will be the game that gets the Lady Raiders back on the winning side of the equation.
Texas Tech women's tennis teams earn national ranking
On the other type of court, the Texas Tech women's tennis team is playing well. They find themselves in the top half of the national rankings this week.
The Red Raiders check in at No. 13 in the latest poll. That's the program's highest ranking since ending the 2018 season at No. 9. They have this weekend off before opening Big 12 play against Kansas on February 28 in Lubbock.
Texas Tech men's golf rises in the polls
Finally, the Texas Tech men's golf team is also heading in the right direction. They check in at No. 21 in the nation this week, up two spots from the last poll.
Up to No. 21 this week 📈 pic.twitter.com/9sxy8qYQhb
— Texas Tech Men’s Golf (@TexasTechMGolf) February 20, 2025
Last weekend, the Red Raiders had an impressive showing by finishing second at The Prestige in California. Next, the team returns to action March 2-4, for the Cabo Collegiate at the Twin Dolphin's Club in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.