Tech Baseball opens 2026 season in Arlington

Red Raiders face Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas at Shriners Children's College Showdown

Feb. 12, 2026 at 3:31pm

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Texas Tech Baseball is set to open the 2026 season this weekend at the Shriners Children's College Showdown hosted by Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Red Raiders will face former conference foes Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as a new opponent in Vanderbilt, over the three-day tournament.

Why it matters

This opening weekend tournament will provide an early test for the Red Raiders as they look to rebound from a tough 20-33 season in 2025. The matchups against ranked opponents Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas will be crucial Q1 games that could impact Texas Tech's postseason hopes.

The details

Texas Tech will open the weekend on Friday morning against Oklahoma, a former conference rival from the Southwest Conference and Big 12. The Red Raiders will then face No. 23 Vanderbilt on Saturday morning, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tech will close out the weekend on Sunday afternoon against No. 7 Arkansas, another former SWC foe. All three games will be streamed live on FloSports and the Texas Tech Sports Network.

  • The Red Raiders open the weekend on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11 a.m. against Oklahoma.
  • Texas Tech will face No. 23 Vanderbilt on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11 a.m.
  • The Red Raiders will take on No. 7 Arkansas on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.

The players

Oklahoma

A former conference rival of Texas Tech's from the Southwest Conference and Big 12.

Vanderbilt

The No. 23 ranked team that will face Texas Tech for the first time in program history.

Arkansas

Another former Southwest Conference foe of Texas Tech's that the Red Raiders will take on.

Tim Tadlock

The head coach of the Texas Tech baseball team.

Steve Foster

The new pitching coach for Texas Tech, who has over two decades of MLB experience, including as the Rockies' pitching coach.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This opening weekend tournament will provide an early barometer for the Red Raiders as they look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023. The matchups against ranked opponents Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas will be crucial Q1 games that could significantly impact Texas Tech's NCAA Tournament resume.