No. 8 Tech looks to gain ground at No. 3 OSU
If Texas Tech has any chance to host a regional in college baseball's NCAA tournament, the time to make a move is now.
The Red Raiders, after a nine-day break from games, dive into the last two weeks of their regular season this weekend with a three-game road series at conference leader Oklahoma State. No. 3 OSU (34-14, 13-5) leads TCU (29-18, 13-8) by 1 1/2 games and No. 8 Tech (32-16, 11-7) and Oklahoma (29-17, 11-7) by two in the Big 12 standings.
The Cowboys host the Red Raiders at 6 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Since a 16-12 victory on May 3 at Abilene Christian, Tech players have worked out around the university's final-exams schedule. Now they come back against Oklahoma State ace Justin Campbell (7-1, 2.91 earned-run average), a finalist last year for the John Olerud Award as the nation's top two-way player and No. 48 on MLB.com's prospects list for this summer's draft.
"It will be a challenge, without a doubt," Tech coach Tim Tadlock said. "I mean, facing a guy on Friday night in Campbell that's one of the better ones in the league, and they're playing at a high level. We have had 10 days off from the standpoint of playing another team.
"So it's a good challenge, but this little break's always been good for us. It doesn't always look that way right out of the gate, but in the long run, it's set us up good for postseason."
Tech has six regular-season games left — the three at OSU and three next Thursday through Saturday at home against Oklahoma.
Tech has hosted a regional in each of the past five NCAA tournaments. It might be too late already to save that streak, given that the Red Raiders' No. 41 slot in the ratings percentage index (RPI) damages their case.
Baseball America this week projects Tech as a No. 2 seed at an Oregon State regional, D1 Baseball projects the Red Raiders as a No. 2 seed at a Tennessee regional, and Yahoo Sports projects Tech as a No. 2 seed at a Texas A&M regional.
However, with Oklahoma State being No. 5 in the RPI and Oklahoma No. 31, Tech could give the Division I baseball committee something to think about if the Red Raiders can finish strong — especially if they can overtake the Cowboys.
"Obviously, if you finish on top of the league, you should be a regional host," Tadlock said, "so that's probably the easiest place to start."
Oklahoma State took charge of the Big 12 race two weeks ago with a three-game sweep against No. 19 Texas in Austin. TCU has made itself a contender by sweeping Tech and taking two of three from Oklahoma State.
The Red Raiders could be in front if they fared as well on Sundays as they have on Fridays and Saturdays. With Andrew Morris and Brandon Birdsell pitching, Tech is 10-2 in the first two games of Big 12 series, but the Red Raiders have tried three starters in Big 12 series finales and are 1-5.
They're planning to go back to Chase Hampton (3-3, 5.45) this Sunday. The sophomore righthander allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings out of the bullpen two weekends ago at Baylor.
"He pitched good that day," Tadlock said. "He pitched with some intent that day. Since then, he's thrown maybe one time. He threw good out here (in practice), so should be in a good spot."
College baseball
Who: Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
When: 6 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: O'Brate Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Records: Texas Tech 32-16, 11-7 in the Big 12; Oklahoma State 34-14, 13-5
Rankings by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association: Texas Tech No. 8, Oklahoma State No. 3
Online streaming: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Starting pitchers: Friday, Texas Tech RHP Andrew Morris (6-0, 3.44 earned-run average) vs. Oklahoma State RHP Justin Campbell (7-1, 2.91). Saturday, Texas Tech RHP Brandon Birdsell (7-2, 2.07) vs. Oklahoma State RHP Bryce Osmond (4-1, 4.47). Sunday, Texas Tech RHP Chase Hampton (3-3, 5.45) vs. Oklahoma State pitcher to be announced.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: College baseball: No. 8 Tech looks to gain ground at No. 3 Oklahoma State
