Preview, how to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma
Texas Tech baseball coach Tim Tadlock said earlier this season he'd like to keep playing Texas as non-conference opponents after UT leaves for the Southeastern Conference.
Tadlock said Thursday he'd like to do the same with Oklahoma, and it might be more feasible given that he and Sooners coach Skip Johnson have been friends since childhood in Denton.
"It feels like we can talk about it," Tadlock said. "If you're communicating and they had something fall through or we had something fall through, you can always put it on the schedule easier than if you're not talking to somebody as much. And (I) feel like he'd want to play us, so yeah, absolutely feel like it's a possibility."
First, a more pressing matter: No. 23 Oklahoma leads the Big 12 by one game, and Texas Tech's postseason chances would be enhanced by winning a series from the Sooners. Tech (30-17, 12-12), seventh place in the 13-team conference, hosts Oklahoma (26-17, 15-6) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
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The Sooners have swept conference series from Central Florida, TCU, Kansas State and Brigham Young while going 1-2 in series against West Virginia, No. 16 Oklahoma State and Texas, the teams closest behind them.
Oklahoma began the year with as much continuity in the lineup as any team in the Big 12 with seven position players who started more than 40 games last year. Chief among them: designated hitter Easton Carmichael (.358, four home runs, 40 runs batted in), second baseman Jackson Nicklaus (.349-8-23), third baseman Anthony Mackenzie (.324-5-34), right fielder Bryce Madron (.315-9-36) and center fielder John Spikerman (.359-1-13).
They've been fortified by first baseman Michael Snyder (.323-8-45), a graduate transfer from Washington, freshman shortstop Jaxon Willits (.226-7-27) and No. 1 starting pitcher Braden Davis (5-3, 4.97), who transferred from Sam Houston State.
Tadlock said right fielder Austin Green, out three games after aggravating an injury, could return this weekend. Right fielder Owen Washburn, who suffered facial injuries April 19 from a foul ball into the dugout, has been medically released and could be on the active 30-man roster as well.
Tech will recognize nine seniors in a pre-game ceremony Sunday: Outfielders Drew Woodcox and Green and pitchers Isaiah Rhodes, Max Huffling, Hudson Luce, Derek Bridges, Josh Sanders, Jack Washburn and Ryan Free.
Washburn can apply for a medical hardship waiver to return next year.
How to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dan Law Field/Rip Griffin Park
Records: Oklahoma 26-17, 15-6 in the Big 12; Texas Tech 30-17, 12-12
Ranking in USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll: Oklahoma No. 23; Texas Tech receiving votes
RPI ranking: Oklahoma No. 26; Texas Tech No. 37
Starting pitchers: Friday, Texas Tech LHP Ryan Free (5-0, 4.58 earned-run average) vs. Oklahoma LHP Braden Davis (5-3, 4.97). Saturday, Texas Tech RHP Kyle Robinson (4-5, 4.53) vs. Oklahoma RHP Kyson Witherspoon (4-3, 4.21). Sunday, Tech RHP Mac Heuer (4-4, 6.02) vs. Oklahoma RHP Brendan Girton (0-1, 5.68).
Online streaming: All games on ESPN+
Texas Tech baseball recent results, upcoming schedule
Home games in ALL CAPS. Asterisk (*) denotes Big 12 game.
April 19: WEST VIRGINIA*, W 15-2
April 21: WEST VIRGINIA*, W 6-4
April 21: WEST VIRGINIA*, W 3-1
April 23: NEW MEXICO, L 17-3
Friday: at Kansas, L 4-3
Saturday: at Kansas*, L 11-2
Sunday: at Kansas*, L 7-3
Tuesday: UT-RIO GRANDE VALLEY, W 11-6
Friday: OKLAHOMA*, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: OKLAHOMA*, 2 p.m.
Sunday: OKLAHOMA*, 2 p.m.
May 10: at Oklahoma State*, 6 p.m.
May 11: at Oklahoma State*, 6 p.m.
May 12: at Oklahoma State*, 2 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Preview, how to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma in Big 12 series
