March 16, 2000

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech plays host to the Red Raider Invitational Softball Tournament on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, at the Texas Tech Recreation Intramural Fields south of the University Medical Center.

Coming to Lubbock for the weekend are the San Diego State Aztecs and the New Mexico State Roadrunners. The Aztecs enter the weekend with a record of 11-15 while the Roadrunners come in with a 12-15 record. Texas Tech has a record of 9-22 after splitting a double-header against UT-San Antonio on Wednesday.

"It's good for us to play at home against good competition," interim head coach Carla Marchetti said. "San Diego State has beaten a couple of nationally ranked teams this season. They just defeated No. 14 Iowa the other day. They were runner-up in their conference last season and have a solid program.

"New Mexico State is a lot like us in that they play in a tough conference and they have been playing a difficult schedule to get ready for that. They've also got some athletes that are hitting the ball well right now and should be a difficult match-up for us. All the teams match-up well which should make for some exciting games."

The Red Raiders will be in action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they face New Mexico State and at 3 p.m. when they take on San Diego State. Tech plays again on Sunday at Noon and 2 p.m.

Tournament Schedule
Saturday, March 18
11 a.m.	SDSU vs. NMSU
1 p.m.	TTU vs. NMSU
3 p.m.	TTU vs. SDSU

Sunday, March 19
10 a.m.	NMSU vs. SDSU
Noon	TTU vs. SDSU
2 p.m.	TTU vs. NMSU
4 p.m. 	Trophy Presentation/All-Tournament Team