FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
LUBBOCK, Texas – Armed with a talented group of returning veterans and the program’s first ranked recruiting class in eight years, Dan Spencer and company hit the diamond on Monday for the first day of fall practice at Dan Law Field.
"We are just really excited to finally be back out here and to get the whole team together," said Texas Tech head coach Dan Spencer. "Last year we tried to position ourselves to be more competitive in games and to get back to the Big 12 Tournament. This year, we have much bigger goals and for us to be successful in May and June we have to put in the work in September and October."
The incoming recruiting class earned a No. 38 national ranking from Collegiate Baseball Magazine, marking the first time a Tech newcomer group has earned national recognition since the 2002 season. The class is armed with talent that should contribute right away and includes five student-athletes who turned down professional offers to come to school including Brett Bruening (35th-round pick by St. Louis), Bobby Doran (36th-round pick by Pittsburgh), Stephen Hagen (42nd-round pick by Seattle), Jay Johnson (25th-round pick by Baltimore) and Brandon Petite (30th-round pick by Houston).
All practices are open to the public and generally get underway at 2:30 p.m. with a scrimmage following at approximately 3:30 p.m. The annual Red & Black series is scheduled to begin on Oct. 25 and conclude on Oct. 29.
