The Red Raiders will have a double-barreled lefty pitching tandem in 2027.
LUBBOCK, Texas - National runner-up Texas Tech has added its first player in this year's softball transfer portal cycle.
Head coach Gerry Glasco rebuilt his roster around the portal additions ahead of the 2026 season, and now, with star pitcher NiJaree Canady moving on to the pros and Kaitlyn Terry returning for another year in Lubbock as the expected starting pitcher, Glasco sought out reinforcements for his pitching staff.
Texas Tech has landed lefty pitcher Jayden Heavener, who previously spent two seasons at LSU and was an All-Region selection.
Heavener was ranked as the No. 1 pitcher available in the portal upon committing to the Red Raiders. In her two seasons in Baton Rouge, she posted a 26-14 record, a career 2.78 earned run average and struck out 280 batters.
The signing comes in crucial timing as Tech's lefty arm, Samantha Lincoln, announced she'd be entering the portal after spending two years in Lubbock.
Heavener was a state champion, Florida Gatorade player of the year, and MaxPreps national player of the year as one of the top recruits in the country in the class of 2024.
In her first season at LSU, she burst onto the scene and was named a Freshman All-American. She went 13-5 in 21 starts with a 2.75 ERA, which was all good enough for a Second Team All-Region selection by the NFCA.
As a sophomore, Heavener's numbers dipped only slightly. She posted a 13-9 record and kept her ERA at 2.81 despite pitching 20 more innings.
Heavener comes to Texas Tech with just one at-bat in her collegiate career, but is listed as a utility player, meaning she could find herself in the batting lineup under the development of a hitting savant like Glasco.
Joining Terry, that'd make a double-barrel pitching staff of lefties who could also do damage in the batters box.
Terry was Tech's lone First Team All-American after going 24-3 with a 1.97 ERA in the circle and hitting .429 with 10 home runs and 57 runs batted in.
The Texas Longhorns, the Red Raiders' new rival after back-to-back meetings in the Women's College World Series, have also reloaded in the portal.
Former Arizona State catcher Samanatha Swan committed to her hometown Longhorns earlier this week, which fills the void left by All-American senior Reese Atwood.
Swan creates a battery with two-time WCWS Most Outstanding Player, Teagan Kavan, who returns for her senior season in 2027 to make Texas another formidable foe in the spring.
But with a major transfer portal addition - and potential more on the way - Texas Tech is equipped for another strong season, as well.
