ARLINGTON, Texas — The regular season is in the books, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are headed to the postseason. With a hard-fought victory over BYU to close out their regular season, the Red Raiders have secured the No. 9 seed in the expanded 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship. Now the question looms: Can Texas Tech make a deep run in Arlington?
After an up-and-down season filled with flashes of promise and moments of adversity, Tech (13-17 Big 12) found just enough footing to tie for ninth in the conference with Baylor. Thanks to their regular season series win over the Bears, the Red Raiders edged out the tiebreaker to earn a postseason berth.
The postseason road, however, will be anything but easy.
Their journey begins Wednesday at Globe Life Field — home of the Texas Rangers — where the Red Raiders will face off against eighth-seeded Cincinnati in a pivotal first-round matchup at approximately 12:30 p.m. CST. It’s a single-elimination format until Thursday, meaning every pitch, swing, and defensive play matters. Win, and Tech earns the right to face top-seeded West Virginia in the quarterfinals. Lose, and the season comes to an end.
Turning the Corner at the Right Time
Momentum might just be on the Red Raiders’ side. Their final game of the regular season — a 7-4 win over BYU — showcased what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders. Powered by big blasts from Austin Green Petty and Logan Hughes, and a steady performance from the bullpen, Tech showed grit, balance, and urgency.
“Closing the regular season with a win gives us confidence,” said head coach Tim Tadlock after Saturday’s victory. “It’s about carrying that energy into the postseason and playing our style of baseball — clean, aggressive, and relentless.”
Though the Red Raiders had their share of struggles throughout the conference slate, they’ve also proven they can compete with the Big 12’s best. Wins against teams like Kansas State, Arizona State, and Baylor are a reminder that this squad has both the tools and the toughness to pull off surprises.
The Road Ahead: Tough But Not Impossible
Standing in their way is a Cincinnati team that edged them in the standings but remains vulnerable. The Bearcats have struggled in recent weeks, and Tech will look to exploit their inconsistency, particularly on the mound. If Tech can replicate the offensive power they displayed against BYU and tighten up their defensive execution, they could very well find themselves in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
A potential matchup with No. 1 seed West Virginia, should Tech advance, would be daunting — but not unthinkable. Upsets are a staple of the Big 12 tournament, and the Red Raiders know that in single-elimination baseball, anything is possible.
Players to Watch
Logan Hughes, whose clutch hitting helped lift Tech over BYU, could be a difference-maker in Arlington.
Damian Bravo, who wowed fans with a home run and a jaw-dropping defensive catch earlier in the series, brings both power and athleticism to the outfield.
Brendan Girton, expected to be a key arm in the rotation, will be vital in keeping opposing lineups in check.
A Fresh Opportunity in a New-Look Tournament
The 2025 Big 12 Championship marks the first time the tournament has expanded to a 12-team field. That change gives more programs, like Tech, the chance to extend their seasons and prove their postseason mettle. It also opens the door for Cinderella runs — and Tech is hoping to wear the slipper.
Day One of the tournament will feature four matchups, with winners moving on to face the top four seeds on Thursday. From there, the format shifts to double-elimination, raising the stakes and testing each team’s depth.
A Shot at Redemption
For a program with a proud baseball tradition, simply qualifying for the tournament isn’t enough. The Red Raiders know they’ve underachieved in stretches this season. But with the slate wiped clean and their fate in their own hands, the opportunity to rewrite their story is right in front of them.
“It’s a new season now,” said Coach Tadlock. “And if we play like we know we can, there’s no reason we can’t go deep.”
First pitch against Cincinnati is set for 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The road to the Big 12 crown starts now — and the Red Raiders are ready to fight for every inning.
