Three sold out games between rivals Texas Tech and Texas at Rip Griffin Park this weekend has Red Raider fans buzzing over the teams success.
“Went to a World Series two years ago, hope to go back again this year, sweeping a lot of teams. playing well at home, it’s a good time,” Tech student Daniel Stevens said.
As Tech holds the top spot in the conference and a national ranking, some of the greats are even coming back to pack the house and show their support.
“Baseball fever is back,” former player Marco Cunningham said. “Back when I played, we were always a top ranked team and that’s why I came to Texas Tech, and now it seems like it’s back.”
Cunningham played baseball for Tech in 1999 and 2000 before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. He came up to Lubbock from San Antonio with his wife and nine-year-old son.
“I’m very proud of these guys,” Cunningham said. “It’s been fun to watch them on social media, it’s been proud to break out the rings, and our shirts, and wear the Texas Tech hat and brag about our team a little bit more. Especially after a couple years, they went to the World Series and it looks like we’re going to go back again this year, so it’s been fun.”
Local businesses are also benefiting, the owners of The Matador say when it comes to selling baseball merchandise, they’re batting a thousand.
“Definitely new energy and demand for Texas Tech baseball apparel,” owner Steve Massengale said. “We’re selling out of things and bringing new things in all the time.”
Tech will close out its series against Texas Sunday at 2 p.m. at home.
