LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Months after their meteoric rise to the final game of the Women’s College World Series, the Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the season as the No. 1 team in the country- according to the Softball America 2026 Preseason Poll released Tuesday morning.
Their WCWS finals counterpart- Texas stands at No. 2. Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Oregon- who all ended last season in Oklahoma City are ranked No. 3, 4, and 5 respectively.
Other Big 12 schools include: No. 17 Arizona and No. 19 Oklahoma State.
Along with some key returning players- pitcher NiJaree Canady, infielders Lauren Allred and Makayla Garcia, and outfielder Alana Johnson- the program has also added catcher Jasmine Burns (Ohio State), infielder Mia Williams (Florida), pitcher Kaitlyn Terry (UCLA), and utility player Jasmine Lis (Southern Illinois)
Their campaign for OKC begins Thursday, Feb. 5 in Lake Charles, La., where they face the McNeese State Cowgirls. Their home opener will be Thursday, Feb. 26, when they host Abilene Christian at Rocky Johnson Field.
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