Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #20
Conference Rank: #4 Big 12 
Texas Tech Team Page
Texas Tech rode the back of fantastic pitching and timely offense all the way to the 2014 College World Series in Omaha for the first time in program history. The Red Raiders gave a very strong account of themselves in Omaha even though they went 0-2. They lost two hard fought one run contests to TCU and Ole Miss. The 2014 season laid the foundation for the potential of a deep run in 2015 as a solid mix of experience and talent returns for veteran head coach Tim Tadlock.
2014: 45-21, 14-10
2014 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tim Tadlock
Field Players:
Infielder Eric Gutierrez is one of the top returning position players in all of college baseball heading into the 2015 season. Gutierrez hit. 302 with 12 homeruns and 58 runs batted in, along with a .997 fielding percentage. He only committed two errors in 66 games played last season. Infielder Bryant Burleson will provide critical senior leadership and clutch hitting, after driving in 37 runs for the Red Raiders last season. Outfielder Stephen Smith hit .287 while playing in just 55 games and drove in 20 runs. If Smith can miss fewer games in 2015, his numbers should go up across the board to give more depth to the Texas Tech lineup.
Pitchers:
Dylan Dusek and Cameron Smith will provide a nice combination that has the potential to be very dominant for the Red Raiders this season. Dusek was 8-0 with a 1.94 earned run average and did a real nice job of going after hitters and making them put the ball in play last season. Smith was 8-3 with a 2.79 earned run average and did make four starts in 2014 with one complete game, so he has the ability to be stretched out and used as a starter.
Who to Watch:
Dominic Moreno, if he takes over the closer role and runs with it on a full-time basis, will be an interesting player to watch for Texas Tech. Moreno was 4-5 with a 3.14 earned run average and was used a starter and as a reliever last season and had two saves. Corey Taylor is another potential starter that could be a part of the starting rotation after making six starts last season. Taylor had a 2.63 earned run average in 21 overall appearances.
Final Projection:
The Red Raiders won’t sneak up on anyone this season after going to Omaha and the College World Series last June. A trip to play perennial power Cal State Fullerton in early March will be the first significant test for Texas Tech and should be a pitching and defensive battle where offensive execution will be critical for the Red Raiders. The following weekend will bring another trip to California to play a pretty good San Diego State team that should allow Texas Tech to build some momentum prior to Big 12 play. The Big 12 schedule opens with a trip to Norman to play Oklahoma, who is never easy team to deal with. TCU visits Lubbock in a rematch from the College World Series starting on April 2nd. If the Red Raiders can get a series win that should propel them on a nice run until the back end of the schedule, which is going to be a tough challenge. Starting with a visit by Oklahoma State on April 26th for a weekend series, Texas Tech will have six of their last nine conference games on the road as they will go Texas and West Virginia to end the regular season. If the Red Raiders can stay consistent and take everyone’s best shot, they should once again be in the mix for a long run in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Bryant Burleson, IF, 254
Hits: Eric Gutierrez, IF, 74
Home Runs: Eric Gutierrez, IF, 12
RBIs: Eric Gutierrez, IF, 58
Runs: Eric Gutierrez, IF, 46
Stolen Bases: Zack Davis, OF, 9
Wins: Dylan Dusek, P, 8; Cameron Smith, P, 8
Innings Pitched: Dylan Dusek, P. 74.1
Strikeouts: Dominic Moreno, P, 56
Saves: Ryan Moseley, P, 3
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