The Red Raiders advanced to the Big 12 title game off a stellar two-way outing by Kaitlyn Terry.
Texas Tech advanced to its second Big 12 Tournament championship game in a row off a dominant semifinal win, 14-0 in five innings, over 5-seed Kansas on Friday.
The top-seeded Red Raiders received a phenomenal two-way performance by all-conference first-teamer Kaitlyn Terry, who got the start in the circle and batted fifth in the order.
The lefty Terry improved to 22-1 as a pitcher in the complete-game shutout, going the full 5.0 innings and only allowing two hits and one walk. She struck out nine Jayhawks batters.
At the plate, Terry showcased why she's widely considered as one of the best two-way athletes in the country. The Glendale, Arizona native went 2 for 3 with a run batted in and two runs scored.
Texas Tech used four home runs in the game to build the mercy rule margin. With all-conference honorees Jackie Lis and Taylor Pannell, along with Jasmyn Burns and Desirae Spearman, all launching shots over the fence, the Red Raiders raised their program-record single-season record to 125.
Kaitlyn Terry Makes A Statement After Big 12 Awards
It was a shock to Red Raider Nation that Terry did not receive an individual award in this week's Big 12 end-of-season honors.
The Co-Pitchers of the Year were the conference leader in ERA, Tech's NiJaree Canady, and Oklahoma State's Ruby Meylan.
The Player of the Year went to the "batting champion", Sydney Stewart of Arizona, who had the top batting average in conference play (.490). Terry led the conference in average for the entire season at .477.
Oh yeah, and she recorded a 21-1 pitching record in just 20 starts with an ERA of 1.31 (1.66 in conference play, ranking third).
Terry, the UCLA transfer, lost Newcomer of the Year voting to power-hitting teammate Mia Williams, who just set the program's single-season home run and RBI record.
Although Terry got First Team All-Conference recognition, this dominant showing was a statement that she deserved an individual honor ... or maybe the installation of a two-way award.
Up next, the Red Raiders, now 52-5 on the year, face 6-seed Arizona State at 11 a.m. at Devon Park in Oklahoma City on Saturday, May 9.
