Red Raiders returning to Permian Basin in April

For many Permian Basin sports fans, a true "harbinger" of spring is the arrival of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.  

In a joint announcement today, the university and the Midland RockHounds Baseball Club have unveiled plans for a pair of events to be held at the Scharbauer Sports Complex.

Texas Tech will hold a spring football open scrimmage at Grande Communications Stadium on
Saturday, April 2 and the Red Raiders baseball team will take on Abilene Christian University
the following Tuesday (April 5) at Security Bank Ballpark.

The April 2 scrimmage marks the fourth consecutive year in which the Red Raiders have made an appearance at Grande Communications Stadium as part of the team's official spring schedule. Coach Kliff Kingsbury's squad will take the field at 1:00 p.m., with gates opening at noon (see right). There is no admission charge for the event.

Texas Tech held intrasquad scrimmages/practices at Grande Communications Stadium in 2013 and 2014. Last year, with Jones AT&T Stadium undergoing construction, the facility served as host for the Red Raiders' official 2015 Spring Game, drawing more than 7,000 fans to the Scharbauer Sports Complex.

Fans are, again, encouraged to tailgate in the stadium's parking areas, and the event will also feature a kids' play area, photo opportunities with the Texas Tech mascot and additional entertainment (to be announced at a later date), hosted by the Midland Convention and Visitors' Bureau.  

Tech baseball has also been a springtime staple in West Texas. The Red Raiders' 2016 appearance marks the third consecutive year in which the team has played at Security Bank Ballpark, and the relationship dates back to the 1990's and Christensen Stadium (the former home of the RockHounds).     

"The tremendous partnership we've established with Texas Tech University is only possible thanks to the support of the community and because of the quality of this facility (the Scharbauer Sports Complex)," said RockHounds general manager Monty Hoppel. "The Red Raiders have always had an outstanding fan base in West Texas and we're pleased to be able to bring both of these events to the Sports Complex and the Permian Basin."

Coach Kingsbury's team finished the 2015 regular season with 7-5 record and went on to face Louisiana State (LSU) in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl (Houston). The Red Raiders open their 2016 campaign on September 3, hosting Stephen F. Austin. The April 2 appearance is part of the 15 spring practice days allowed under NCAA rules and is also among the final tune-ups in preparation for Tech's official 2016 Spring Game (April 16 in Lubbock).

Head coach Tim Tadlock's baseball club will take on Abilene Christian University, with gates opening at 6:00 p.m. and the first pitch set for 6:30. All tickets for the game are $8 and will go on sale Monday, March 14.  

Texas Tech opens its baseball season on February 20, with the April 5 contest at Security Bank Ballpark sandwiched between a pair of three-game series on the team's Big 12 schedule (versus Kansas State and at Oklahoma State). The Red Raiders' opponent, for the second straight season, is Abilene Christian University. The Wildcats, who made the transition to NCAA Division I in 2014, compete in the Southland Conference.  

Both of the Texas Tech appearances are presented by Pro Petro Services. Dale Redman, ProPetro's CEO, was a three-year letterman (1981-84) with the Red Raiders baseball team. He is also a past winner of the Scott Seator Community Achievement Award, presented annually by the RockHounds for contributions to our community through sports. Dale's sons, Hunter and Reid, attended Tech and both went on to careers in professional baseball.

The match-up between Texas Tech and comes just slightly more than a week ahead of the RockHounds' 2016 home opener. The 'Hounds, Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, have captured back-to-back Texas League titles (just the seventh team to accomplish that feat in the last 90 years). The home opener is Thursday, April 14, with the RockHounds hosting the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels).

For event and ticket information, call the RockHounds office at (432) 520-2255.