The Texas Tech Red Raiders are hosting a regional this weekend with Louisville, Kent State, and New Mexico State. Texas Tech will open against New Mexico State while Louisville and Kent State face-off in the other matchup.
Texas Tech (39-17 overall, 15-9 Big 12)
Texas Tech enters the NCAA Tournament with a 39-17 overall record while going 15-9 in Big 12 play. They are led by Josh Jung who led the team in hitting with a .381 average with 11 homers and 73 RBI. Somehow the Big 12 didn’t name him player of the year even though his numbers were the best in the conference. Grant Little is another player to watch with a .378 average, 12 homers and 67 RBI. Caleb Killian leads the rotation with a 8-1 record and a 2.30 ERA in 17 appearances including eight starts.
Louisville (43-17 overall, 18-12 ACC)
The Cardinals enter the weekend with a 43-17 record while going 18-12 in ACC play. Centerfielder Josh Stowers leads the team in hitting with a .341 average with nine homers and 59 RBI while being 33-40 on the base paths. Adam Wolf leads the rotation with a 7-2 record with a 2.26 ERA.
Kent State (39-16 overall, 19-8 MAC)
The Kent State Flashes continue to be the class of the MAC with a 39-16 overall record and a 19-8 mark in MAC play as they won the conference tournament to make the NCAA’s yet again. Nick Kanavas leads the offense with a .358 average and a homer and 34 RBI. He has 20 stolen bases in 26 attempts. Mason Mamarella is another bat to watch with a .323 average while being a pest on the base paths with 33 stolen bases in 40 attempts.
New Mexico State (40-20 overall, 17-7 WAC)
The New Mexico State Aggies head into the NCAA Tournament after winning the WAC postseason tournament with a 40-20 overall record and a 17-7 record in conference play. The Aggies are led on offense by Nick Gonzales who is hitting .349 batting average with nine homers and 36 RBI. Caleb Henderson is also a player to watch with a .339 average with ten homers and 63 RBI. Jonathan Groff leads the rotation with a 11-2 record in 16 appearances including 15 starts while having a 2.49 ERA in 97.2 innings.
Prediction: Texas Tech SHOULD win this regional over a Louisville squad that is having a “down” year in the Cardinals high standards while Kent State and New Mexico State are just along for the ride. The Aggies program plays in one of the biggest bandboxes in the country so their numbers are always high.
