Here's a look at all the headlines from a successful weekend of Texas Tech athletics.
Texas Texas softball makes program history with first Big 12 title
Taking two of three games in Lubbock from Arizona State, the Texas Tech softball team captured the first Big 12 title in program history this weekend. Though that has felt like a formality for much of the season, given the Red Raiders' dominance, it is still an accomplishment worth celebrating.
The title was captured thanks to a doubleheader sweep on Saturday after bad weather postponed Friday's scheduled game one. Tech got off to a solid start by shutting out the Sun Devils 9-0 to open the series. NiJaree Canady tossed four innings, striking out five and giving up one hit to earn her 20th win of the season. Meanwhile, Alana Johnson and Demi Elder homered in the five-inning victory.
Then, in the night cap, Tech sealed the Big 12 regular-season championship with a 3-0 win. After closing out game one in the circle, Chloe Riassetto tossed 5.1 innings, giving up only four hits while striking out three.
At the plate, Tech scratched out three runs against Arizona State's ace, including a clutch RBI base hit from Reagan Jennings to break the scoreless tie in the sixth. Then, Victoria Valdez followed by driving home two more runs. That allowed Canaday, who came on to end the fifth, to slam to door and clinch the Big 12.
Sunday, Tech fell 7-3 in the series finale. That was understandable given that it came just hours after the team accomplished one of its major season goals.
Up next, the Red Raiders play their final home game of the season Tuesday against Abilene Christian before closing out Big 12 play with three games at BYU.
Texas Tech baseball earns best series win of the season
Though it appears to be a bit too late to save the season, the Texas Tech baseball team showed tremendous heart this weekend at home by winning two of three games against No. 16 Arizona. It was only the second Big 12 series win for the Red Raiders since sweeping Houston to open conference play in mid-March.
Saturday, Tech captured game one of a doubleheader with a dominant 12-3 win. After trailing 3-2 to start the bottom of the fifth, the Red Raiders erupted for ten unanswered runs over the final 4.5 innings. That included four runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings.
At the plate, Logan Hughes and Robin Villeneuve clubbed homers to help power the Tech attack. On the mound, a pair of pitchers, Mac Heuer and Jack Cebert, combined to toss eight innings of two-run ball, something that was much-needed for a pitching-starved team.
In game two on Saturday, Arizona responded with a 2-1 win. The Wildcats plated two runs in the sixth inning to erase a 1-0 deficit, and that was enough to split the twin bill.
Sunday, with the series on the line, Tech's bats came back to life. In a 9-3 win, the home team banged out 15 hits, including a homer from Hughes, who drove in three runs on the day.
Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth, Tech blew the game open with a four-run outburst. After that, the Red Raiders cruised to the series win, their first this season over a ranked opponent.
While Tech's only hope of making the NCAA Tournament will rest on winning the Big 12 Tournament next month, the fact that this team was able to take down a team as good as Arizona this weekend was a sign that Tim Tadlock's bunch is still fighting hard to close out the season as strong as possible. That's about all we can ask in a season that has been such a disaster.
Up next, Tech takes on UTRGV on Tuesday and Wednesday in Lubbock before traveling to West Virginia this weekend.
Young Texas Tech defensive back enters transfer portal
As the transfer portal window for college football remains open, another young Red Raider has entered his name. Isaiah "Boss" Collins, a 3-star signee in the class of 2024, announced his intention to find a new home.
I would like to thank Texas Tech for everything they've done for me, i'm blessed to have had the opportunity to be around a great team, staff and academic advisors. After much thought and prayer I've decided to enter the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility!!! pic.twitter.com/yMyx2pABet
— Isaiah “Boss” Collins (@3Boss03) April 28, 2025
Collins, a native of Huntsville, Texas, did not play this past season as he took a redshirt. He becomes the latest Red Raider to look elsewhere for a chance to play.