Jack Washburn's first Texas Tech baseball start was no ordinary debut

ARLINGTON — Of all the players on the Texas Tech baseball roster, perhaps none was more restless for the arrival of opening weekend than Jack Washburn.

Last year, the Red Raiders' newly arrived pitcher missed opening weekend and every one thereafter, thanks to a stress fracture in a scapula. On Sunday, as Tech's No. 3 starter in the Shriners Children's College Showdown, Washburn fired nearly 80 pent-up pitches in his Texas Tech debut.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound righthander threw a first four scoreless innings to help the 22nd-ranked Red Raiders dispatch Oregon 11-7 at Globe Life Field. The first game back for the son of former Major League pitcher Jarrod Washburn was at the stadium of the reigning World Series champions.

"It's indescribable," Washburn said afterward. "It's been a long time coming. I'm very, very grateful to be healthy. Especially grateful to have a comeback on this field."

Rough opener for Red Raiders: Texas Tech baseball has a long night courtesy of Tennessee baseball's A.J. Russell

Red Raiders bounce back: Texas Tech baseball breaks its February hex at Globe Life Field

Washburn's last time to pitch in a college game had been on June 22, 2022, for Ole Miss in the College World Series. The Rebels won the national title four days later.

Afterward, Washburn had his name entered into the NCAA transfer portal. When he landed at Tech, anticipation immediately followed, but he wasn't ready to deliver last season. He waited for his shoulder blade to heal. No surgery required, just a lot of down time.

"It was, honestly, one of the hardest things I've ever done mentally," he said. "Obviously, I've played baseball my whole life, and having a whole year not doing that and having to watch from the sidelines was really difficult.

"At the end of the day, I'm grateful for the experience. I think I've grown a lot as a person and as a player because of it, and I'm very happy to be back."

Using an 88-91 mph fastball with deception and late life, he struck out four of the first five batters he faced. Tech coach Tim Tadlock came and got him when the first three Oregon batters reached in the fifth, the last with a two-run single. All three scored, so Washburn's final line showed three earned runs on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts.

Washburn's a junior, in his fourth college season. His previous three years, at Oregon State in 2020 and 2021 and for Ole Miss in 2022, Washburn came out of the bullpen for 26 of his 40 appearances.

"He probably has always believed he could go start," Tadlock said. "Obviously, you could see with the makeup and the presence on the mound, he's going to be able to do that. I'm really proud of him.

"Again, I think his arm's healthy for the first time in a few years. What I mean by that is more, it feels right. He's got nothing bothering him. I think his stuff will just get better."

Tech nearly blew a 6-0 lead. Oregon rallied back within 6-4, 7-6 and 9-7. Ultimately, another transfer — 6-9 lefthander Max Huffling from Abilene Christian — got the final outs for his first save.

In an eventful three innings, Huffling gave up a run on six hits, but struck out seven with no walks.

Each of the past two seasons, in games against Texas Tech, Huffling gave the Red Raiders fits. Asked what the Tech stuff thought upon seeing Huffling's name in the portal, Tadlock said, "Call him."

"Huff's a different look. He really is," Tadlock said. "Guys who are that tall, the ball being released closer to home plate makes it hard."

With Huffling's strikeouts came intense, fist-pumping enthusiasm.

"He's a competitor," Tadlock said. "He likes close games, always has. We've seen that firsthand. It's fun to watch him."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Jack Washburn's first Texas Tech baseball start was not just any debut