Texas Tech will begin the 2016 season ranked 25th in the Perfect Game preseason poll, the publication announced Wednesday as part of its college baseball preview.
This is the second preseason national ranking already for the Red Raiders as Collegiate Baseball Newspaper tabbed Tech at No. 39 in its preseason poll that was released on Dec. 21.
The Red Raiders spent the majority of the 2015 season ranked in several national polls before finishing 31-24 overall. It was Tech’s second-straight season with 30 or more wins under fourth-year head coach Tim Tadlock, a first for the program since the 2005-06 campaigns.
Tadlock and his staff bring back the bulk of that roster as 20 letterwinners return this spring, including an accomplished senior class featuring the likes of Eric Gutierrez, Tyler Neslony, Zach Davis, Tyler Floyd, Cory Raley and Dalton Brown. The list of returnees includes seven position starters as well as a pair of regulars in the pitching rotation in Ryan Moseley and Ty Damron.
Tech is coming off its best two-year span in over a decade as the Red Raiders have combined for 76 victories, their most over two seasons since the 2001-02 campaigns. In addition, Tech has also won 27 games in Big 12 Conference play, their most since those same two seasons.
The Red Raiders, who finished tied for third in the Big 12 standings a year ago, are one of four conference teams ranked in Perfect Game’s preseason poll, joining the likes of No. 7 Oklahoma State, No. 18 TCU and No. 19 Oklahoma.
Texas Tech opens the 2016 season on Feb. 19 with the start of a four-game series against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. First pitch on Opening Day is slated for 2 p.m. inside Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
Red Raider fans still have a chance to lock in their seat for the 2016 season. A limited supply of season tickets still remain and can be purchased by contacting the Texas Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH or by visiting the tickets page at TexasTech.com.
(Press Release Provided by Texas Tech Athletics Department)
