Here's a look at the latest Texas Tech sports news for Friday, May 16, 2025.
Texas Tech baseball blown out by BYU in series opener
It was another verse to a familiar song for the Texas Tech baseball team on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it is a tune everyone in Lubbock is tired of hearing.
The Red Raiders were once again blown out by a poor team when BYU, which is just 9-19 in Big 12 play, took the opener of the final series of the regular season 13-4. That dropped Tech to just 19-31 overall and 12-16 in the conference.
The game was close early, but the Cougars used a seven-run fourth inning to take a 10-2 lead. After that, the Red Raiders were unable to put up much of a fight.
Pitching remained an issue, as it has been for the past two or three seasons. Tech starting pitcher Mac Heuer lasted only 3.1 innings and allowed seven earned runs on nine hits.
At the plate, Damian Bravo mashed Tech's only homer of the game. Meanwhile, Robin Villeneuve had a pair of RBI while Dylan Maxcey also drove in one. However, it wasn't enough. The series continues tonight at 7 p.m. Central and then concludes tomorrow at 2 p.m. Central.
Texas Tech softball set to open Lubbock Regional
Today in Lubbock, the Texas Tech softball team will host the Lubbock Regional. To open the weekend, the top-seeded Red Raiders face No. 4 seed Brown.
At 33-15, Brown is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. This will be the first time the two programs have faced one another.
The winner of this game, which is set for 4:30 p.m. Central, will face the winner of tonight's game between No. 2 seed Mississippi State and No. 3 seed Washington. Should Tech win, as expected, the Red Raiders will play Saturday at 1 p.m. In the unlikely event of an upset, they will play at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Friday's game can be seen on ESPN+.
Texas Tech star nominated for national award
After a fantastic regular season, Texas Tech softball's star pitcher NiJaree Canady has been named a finalist for the 2025 National Player of the Year. That should come as no surprise given the sterling numbers she has put up.
In the circle, Canady has compiled a 0.81 ERA with 263 strikeouts and a 26-5 record. At the plate, she's mashed eight home runs with 30 RBI and is slugging .667 in just 81 at-bats.
Ten players are up for the award. On May 19, that list will be narrowed to three players. Then, prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series, which is scheduled to begin on May 29, the winner will be announced.
Texas Tech baseball to to open 2026 season in Arlington, Texas
Though the 2025 Texas Tech baseball season is still limping to its conclusion, we got news about the 2026 season this week. The Red Raiders have been announced as one of six teams that will open next season at the Shriners Children's College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers.
In that event, which will be held from February 13-15, Tech will be joined by Alabama, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Oklahoma. Given that the Red Raiders aren't going to play another Big 12 team in a non-conference game, we can assume that they will face the Crimson Tide, Commodores, and Sooners in Arlington.