The Red Raiders looked to improve their hand by drawing a gang of ace pitchers on signing day.
The Texas Tech baseball team announced Thursday the signing of nine players to join its fall 2007 roster.
Tech coach Larry Hays showed an emphasis on improving his pitching staff in this year's recruiting class by signing eight pitchers and one position player - the first time he has signed only one position since taking over as Tech coach.
Five of the eight signees are straight out of high school including local pitching product Chad Bettis, who hails from Monterey High School. Pitchers Robert Kilcrease, Thomas Pressly, Austin Quick and catcher Mickey Armstrong round out the high school recruiting class. Armstrong, Kilcrease and Pressly were All-State selections last year.
The Red Raiders also added four more pitchers from the junior college ranks. David Dinelli, Lorenzo Douglas, Zack Stewart and Sean Wincher will all contribute on the mound for Tech next fall. These four pitchers posted a combined ERA of 2.84 last year.
These nine signees will join an already talented Tech team. Two Red Raiders were named to the Third-Team Preseason All-American Team on Tuesday. Junior catcher Matt Smith and sophomore outfielder Roger Kieschnick received this honor from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after they combined for 16 home runs, 30 doubles and 101 RBIs last season.
Smith led the Red Raiders with a .377 batting average and finished the season as a Johnny Bench Award Candidate. Kieschnick was named 2006 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and First-Team Freshman All-American.
Tech will begin the 2007 season with a three-game series against Stephen F. Austin Feb. 2-4 at Dan Law Field.
Be the first to comment on this article!