Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #38
Conference Rank: #5 Big 12
Texas Tech struggled in Big 12 play last year, going just 5-13. That kept them well out of the NCAA Tournament picture. There were some decent wins along the way though and now the Red Raiders are poised to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance under Coach Adrian Gregory. That is in part due to all of the returning experience on the team, but Coach Gregory also has brought in a few impact transfers. Catcher Trenity Edwards come from Missouri where she earned 33 starts as a freshman last year and hit five homeruns with 27 RBIs. Shelby Henderson recorded a school record 44 RBIs at Lamar last year and pitcher Missy Zoch started 44 games at DePaul over the last two seasons.
2018: 31-28, 5-13
2018 Postseason: None
Coach: Adrian Gregory
Key Departed Players:
Kassidy Scott, P, 4.22 ERA, 11-11 W/L, 144.1 IP, 69 SO
Key Returning Players:
Jessica Hartwell, IF, .400 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 16 SB
Heaven Burton, OF, .379 BA, 12 RBI, 9 SB
Michaela Cochran, OF, .356 BA, 10 RBI, 8 SB
Karli Hamilton, OF, .319 BA, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 15 SB
Kiana Workman, IF, .280 BA, 29 RBI, 9 SB
Erin Edmoundson, P, 2.97 ERA, 17-12 W/L, 193.1 IP, 135 SO
Projection:
The experience coming in from other Division I schools is impressive, but so is the returning talent. Erin Edmoundson was the workhorse on the mound last year, making 44 appearances and tallying a 2.97 ERA. With Kassidy Scott gone, Edmoundson will likely team up with Zoch to form a potent 1-2 combination in the circle. Senior Jessica Hartwell is one of the best hitters in the nation. Last year the All-American batted .400 with 20 homeruns, 61 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Hartwell alone could propel this team towards the tournament, but she will get plenty of help from a very experienced lineup. Heaven Burton and Michaela Cochran are consistent batters who both hit over .350 last year. And Karli Hamilton is another power hitter who will drive in plenty of runs again in 2019. Last year she hit .319 with eight homeruns and 50 RBIs. The Red Raiders have a lot of talent on this roster and they should be able to pull everything together enough to compete in the Big 12 and reach their first NCAA Tournament since 2012.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
