Here is your Texas Tech sports news roundup for Friday, April 4, 2025.
Texas Tech softball looks to stay atop Big 12 standings
This weekend, the Texas Tech softball program will host Utah for a three-game set at Rocky Johnson Field. Sitting at 8-1 in Big 12 play, the Red Raiders will look to stay atop the conference standings, ahead of second-place Arizona.
Earlier this week, Tech picked up a 7-3 road win over Abilene Christian. The No. 14 Red Raiders got 5.0 solid innings from starting pitcher Samantha Lincoln, who improved to 7-2 on the season. She struck out four and allowed only one run.
At the plate, Alexa Langeliers belted a 3-run homer in the top of the first to stake her team to a 3-0 cushion. After that, the Red Raiders were never truly threatened by the Wildcats.
Now, Tech returns home for three of the next four Big 12 series. This weekend's opponent, Utah, doesn't seem to pose much of a threat, at least on paper. The Utes are just 12-24 overall and 4-5 in conference play. However, they do arrive in Lubbock after taking two of three games at home against Houston last weekend.
First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m., with game two scheduled to start at 4:30. The series will conclude Sunday (after taking Saturday off due to expected inclement weather) with a noon first pitch.
Texas Tech baseball will try to find answers against Cincinnati
The struggling Texas Tech baseball team will also be at home this weekend. Taking on Cincinnati for a three-game series, the Red Raiders need to start to string some wins together.
This week, the Red Raiders dropped a mid-week game against No. 10 Oklahoma in Frisco, Texas. Falling behind 6-1 in the fourth inning and 8-3 in the sixth, Tech tried to rally by posting three runs in the final two frames, but the comeback attempt came up short in an 8-6 defeat.
The star of the night for the Red Raiders was Logan Hughes. The sophomore from Florida went 2-3 with a homer and two RBI while also scoring two runs.
Now, Big 12 play resumes as the Bearcats come calling. Winners of five games in a row, Cincinnati is 17-11 on the season but just 4-5 in Big 12 play.
As for Tech, they sit at 4-5 in the conference as well. However, they are only 8-17 overall. If Tech has any hopes of a mid-season turnaround, this weekend will be crucial.
Friday's game is set to begin at 2 p.m. with Saturday's game tentatively set for the same time. Sunday, the series is scheduled to conclude at 1 p.m.
Texas Tech golfer earns Big 12 honor for March
This week, sophomore women's golfer Klara Hurtova was named the Big 12 Golfer of the Month for March. It is her first monthly honor, and she becomes the first Texas Tech female golfer to earn a Big 12 monthly award since 2022.
Hurtova captured two tournament titles in March. She finished first at the Valspar Augusta Invitational and tied for first at the Pinetree Women's Collegiate.
Texas Tech's Canady earns national award
Finally, it should come as no surprise that Texas Tech softball ace NiJaree Canady has earned another national award. This week, she was named D1Softball's National Pitcher of the Week.
That came on the heels of a dominant series against Kansas in her home state. In game one, she tossed a no-hitter and in game three, she struck out 14 hitters to lead Tech to another win.
In 12.0 innings against the Jayhawks, the reigning National Pitcher of the Year struck out 26 batters and allowed just three hits and one run.