Tim Tadlock seemed determined to buck convention as his Texas Tech baseball team opened the NCAA Tournament Lubbock Regional on Friday and at least for one day, it paid off. Having the choice of whether to play at 1 pm or at 6 pm, Tadlock elected to take the first game of the tournament subjecting his team to searing heat that reached over 130 degrees on the playing surface.
What’s more, his team chose to wear black uniform tops in what felt like a statement about the Red Raiders’ mental toughness. It was not the only statement Texas Tech would make en route to a 9-2 win over New Mexico State.