Coming out of the 2009 baseball season, the biggest obstacle toward more success for Texas Tech proved to be pitching depth.

By the end of the year, the Red Raiders could put together enough pitching to be competitive in Big 12 Conference weekend series, to which their 12-15 league mark could attest. The problem became pitching during the midweek games, which ultimately led to Tech finishing seven games above .500 while Oklahoma State, which finished two spots behind the Red Raiders in the Big 12, made the NCAA tournament.

So, going into offseason camp this fall, finding pitching depth to last an entire week’s worth of games was one of the Tech coaching staff’s main goals, and those hoping to fill those roles get their final tests as the annual Red-Black Series begins at 5 p.m. today at Dan Law Field.

“We’re not as deep as we think we will be in a couple of weeks when we get a couple of guys back (from injury) and can add them to the active roster,” head coach Dan Spencer said. “I think if the (doctors) are kind to us … and we’re all able to progress and able to pitch in the spring, then the depth on the mound will be very good.”

Tech has gone all fall without veteran pitcher Robbie Kilcrease (3-1, 6.38 ERA last season) and junior transfer Zach Fowler due to arm injuries, and freshman two-way player Duke VonSchamann has been limited to playing first base and hitting due to arm soreness. Otherwise, the Red Raiders have received plenty of encouraging signs, especially from some of the newcomers.

Veteran Chad Bettis (6-1, 3.58), who is expected to anchor the staff and be a top-round draft pick next summer, has been solid in fall intrasquad scrimmages, but the impressive outings have come from the transfers Spencer was counting upon going into the fall. Right-hander Bobby Doran (Seward County Community College), left-hander Jay Johnson (Lethbridge, Canada, College) and Brett Bruening (Grayson County CC), who was originally set to go to LSU, have been three newcomers who have shown good stuff and done so on a consistent basis.

“I think our pitching rotation will have 10 to 12 guys that can go out there on a weekend or a weekday and get us wins,” Bettis said. “Jay Johnson and Bobby Doran have been outstanding, and with Bruening it’s unbelievable the pitching depth we have.”

If that depth can develop, it should complement what is expected to be a deeper, faster and more talented offense and defense judging by the competition at all positions throughout the fall.

Infield depth, which at times was a weakness for the Red Raiders last season, could be their best asset in 2010. Tech returns veteran infielders Joey Kenworthy, Garrett Totten and Justin Berry — who is coming off hip surgery — but newcomers Barrett Barnes, Stephen Hagen, VonSchamann, Nick Popescu and Jamodrick McGruder have had good falls.

In the outfield, seniors Michael Reed (broken hand) and Taylor Ashby (ankle sprain) missed part of the fall, and Nick Hanslik recently had elbow surgery and will miss the 2010 season. That has opened up competition as well, and behind the plate the Red Raiders could run three deep with returning lettermen Jeremy Mayo and Kevin Whitehead joined by freshman Bo Altobelli. Mayo and Altobelli have also seen plenty of work at third base throughout the fall.

“We feel we don’t have anybody positionally that will make this club and we’ll take into the spring who are pretenders,” Spencer said. “They’re all Division I talent. We told them Tuesday that it’s time for guys who think they need to be a starter and those who need to fill roles to start believing in that and start separating themselves. I hope we’ll see that.”

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