Texas Tech sports roundup: Softball's Big 12 accomplishment, baseball stumbles, more

Here's a look at the headlines from a busy weekend of Texas Tech sports.

Texas Tech softball continues its domination of the Big 12

Over the weekend, the Texas Tech softball team wrapped up the regular season by taking two of three games at BYU. That means the Red Raiders accomplished an impressive feat: they won every Big 12 series they played this season.

Of course, Tech already had the regular-season conference title wrapped up prior to the BYU series. However, the Red Raiders are still trying to secure the right to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament. Therefore, every game Tech plays until the NCAA Tournament could be crucial.

After a 9-4 win to open the set on Thursday, Tech fell 2-1 on Friday night. Despite taking the loss, Chloe Riassetto was strong in the circle. She tossed five complete innings, giving up two runs while allowing only four hits. Unfortunately, though, BYU managed to bash a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to eek out the win.

Saturday, the series concluded with another 2-1 contest. However, this time, it was Tech that came away with the one-run win. Ace NiJaree Canady threw a complete game, giving up just one run and one hit while striking out eight.

The series win was the 60th conference series victory in a row for Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glascow, a streak that dates back to his time at Louisiana. Now, the Red Raiders turn their attention to the Big 12 Tournament, where they have a first-round bye before facing either Baylor or Kansas on Thursday in Oklahoma City.

Texas Tech baseball can't capture series over first-place West Virginia

On the other end of the spectrum, the Texas Tech baseball team could have made some waves this weekend but dropped the final two games of its three-game series at first-place West Virginia. It was a disappointing outcome after the weekend got off to a strong start.

After Friday's game was rained out, Tech took game one of Saturday's doubleheader with a 6-4 win. Thanks to four strong innings from both Mac Heuer and Jack Cebert, Tech held the Mountaineers at bay. Leading at one point 6-1, Tech had to hang on for dear life, though.

In the bottom of the ninth, the home team got the tying runs on base. However, Tech reliever Lukas Pirko worked out of a jam to secure the win.

The Mountaineers responded with a 3-2 win in the second game on Saturday. WVU picked up two runs in the third inning to break open a tie game, and their pitching kept Tech at bay the rest of the night. In fact, Tech would not get a runner into scoring position after the fifth inning.

Sunday, WVU again stifled the Red Raider bats in a 5-0 win to take the series. Tech managed just seven hits on its way to being shut out for the first time in 2025.

Up next, the Red Raiders are set to host New Mexico State on Tuesday and New Mexico on Wednesday. Then, UCF comes to Lubbock for a three-game set this weekend.

Texas Tech tennis knocked out of NCAA Tournament in home upset

It was a disappointing end to the season for the Texas Tech women's tennis team over the weekend. Hosting the Lubbock regional, Tech was eliminated by Stanford 4-1 on Friday in the round of 32.

Tech finished the season 23-3 overall, but had higher expectations than a second-round exit. The Big 12 regular season and tournament champions fell apart against the Cardinal, falling into an early 3-0 hole after losing the doubles point and the first two singles points. After that, the No. 12 Red Raiders couldn't mount a comeback.

Though the season didn't wrap up with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, Tech did have a fantastic overall campaign, one that the program should be proud of. Now, the hope is that this will be a building block for the Red Raiders moving forward.

Former Texas Tech football player signs with CFL team

Finally, another Texas Tech football alum has found an opportunity to play professionally. Wide receiver and kick returner Drae McCray has signed on with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

In two seasons with the Red Raiders, the speedster caught only 41 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. However, as a kick returner, he was dynamic. He averaged 26.7 yards per kickoff return while finding the endzone once. Now, he'll take his explosive speed up north.