Preview and how to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Gardner-Webb
Big 12 expansion means conference play starts earlier this season for the Texas Tech baseball team. Next weekend, the 19th-ranked Red Raiders will host 13th-ranked Texas in the first conference series for both.
This weekend, Texas Tech (6-2) has Gardner-Webb (2-6) in for three at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Gardner-Webb, a North Carolina school, went 31-25 last year, beating Northwestern, Michigan State and ranked opponents Campbell and Duke, the latter two back-to-back in mid-May.
Since the makeup of the Big 12 changed after the 2011 season, teams have played a 24-game conference schedule consisting of three-game series against eight opponents.
This season, Tech will play a 30-game conference schedule consisting of three-game series against 10 opponents. There are 13 baseball programs in the Big 12, so the Red Raiders will not play Kansas State and Cincinnati during the regular season.
"We did look at going into last weekend, you have seven games, really, to prepare for conference," Tech coach Tim Tadlock said Thursday, "and try to mix and match and get different guys in the lineup. Yeah, it's a little bit quicker than it has been in the past.
"But ... we did have an extra 10 days (of preseason preparation) on the front end, so we got a lot of good work in in January. Guys seem to be in a good spot as far as physically being ready to go."
First baseman Gavin Kash, last year's Big 12 leader in home runs, runs batted in and total bases, is off to a slow start, batting .185 with a team-high nine strikeouts in 27 at-bats. He sat for two games last weekend.
"Gavin's getting pitched a little tougher, maybe, than some other guys," Tadlock said, "and it really comes down to the fastball. When he gets his pitch, he needs to hit it hard. He's prepared to do that. Gavin's ready to go."
Freshman pitcher Mac Heuer will make his first college start Saturday, taking Zane Petty's rotation spot. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound righthander has a 3.38 earned-run average in two relief appearances.
"I've always liked the way Mac's thrown the ball," Tadlock said. "His presence is really good on the mound. Obviously, his fastball gives you a chance to have a little margin for error. He's one of those guys who, if he lands the other two (pitches), it could be a long day for somebody."
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How to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Gardner-Webb
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dan Law Field/Rip Griffin Park
Records: Gardner-Webb 2-6, Texas Tech 6-2
Ranking in USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll: Gardner-Webb unranked; Texas Tech No. 19
Starting pitchers: Friday, Texas Tech RHP Kyle Robinson (1-1, 3.12 earned-run average) vs. Gardner-Webb RHP Blake Brogdon (0-2, 9.00 earned-run average). Saturday, Texas Tech RHP Mac Heuer (0-0, 3.38) vs. Gardner-Webb LHP Michael Ciminiello (0-0, 2.79). Sunday, Texas Tech RHP Jack Washburn (1-0, 7.56) vs. Gardner-Webb RHP Parker Dixon (0-0, 0.00).
Online streaming/TV: All games on ESPN+
Texas Tech baseball results, upcoming schedule
Home games in ALL CAPS. Asterisk (*) denotes Big 12 game.
Feb. 16: vs. Tennessee, L 6-2
Feb. 17: vs. Nebraska, W 6-3
Feb. 18: vs. Oregon, W 11-7
Feb. 20: vs. Texas-Arlington, W 13-1
Feb. 21: vs. Oregon State, L 10-4
Friday: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 32-5
Saturday: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 20-4
Sunday: TEXAS SOUTHERN, W 16-5
Friday: GARDNER-WEBB, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: GARDNER-WEBB, 2 p.m.
Sunday: GARDNER-WEBB, 2 p.m.
Tuesday: at New Mexico, 3 p.m.
March 8: TEXAS*, 6:30 p.m.
March 9: TEXAS*, 2 p.m.
March 10: TEXAS*, 2 p.m.
March 12: NEW MEXICO STATE, 6:30 p.m.
March 13: NEW MEXICO STATE, 2 p.m.
March 15: at Baylor*, 6:30 p.m.
March 16: at Baylor*, 2 p.m.
March 17: at Baylor*, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Preview and how to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Gardner-Webb
