Texas Tech softball is going all in a year after Gerry Glasco’s arrival.Gerry Glasco was hired as head coach of the Texas Tech softball team on June 20, 2024. A year later, the Red Raiders have gone from afterthought to headliner, occupying a space in the world of college softball never seen in Lubbock.
Hours after the Red Raiders returned from their run in the Women’s College World Series, Glasco, his staff and the boosters supporting the program started building toward 2026. First came the commitment of Ohio State catcher Jasmyn Burns. A few days later, the second wave came in with Florida’s Mia Williams, UCLA’s Kaitlyn Terry and Southern Illinois’ Jackie Lis entering the fray.Then came the commitment of Tennessee’s Taylor Pannell, who hit the transfer portal and pledged to the Red Raiders in the span of a few hours. And on Wednesday night, El Paso native and New Mexico State two-way player Desirae Spearman added her name to the list.These moves have generated numerous headlines, not all of which are positive. Texas Tech has been accused of tampering — being in contact with players before the end of their seasons with their respective teams — to put together this transfer portal haul. Hearsay is enticing, creates buzz and generates clicks bosses love. The initial claim caught much more traction than another story, from the Austin American-Statesman, which poked several holes in the story from SI, but Tech’s reputation had shifted altogether regardless.In two week’s time, Glasco has gone from the feel-good story of the sport to the leader of college softball’s equivalent to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The star power brought in to join NiJaree Canady in Lubbock is something never seen before in the sport, and most people aren’t sure how to handle it.
Texas Tech is the new kid on the block, operating behind a group of wealthy alumni motivated to stake a claim in a sport it had little relevance in this time last year. The turn from baby face to heel was swift, sudden and unexpected, causing a ripple effect throughout the sport. It started with bringing Canady to Lubbock, and now the Red Raiders are ready for their second act.Texas Tech softball roster for 2026 after transfer portal additions, losses
Here’s where the Red Raider roster stands for the 2026 season after the transfer portal window for softball players has closed. Players are listed by school year for the 2025-26 academic calendar.
SENIORS: NiJaree Canady (pitcher/utility), Jackie Lis (infielder), Mihyia Davis (outfielder), Victoria Valdez (catcher), Alana Johnson (outfielder), Chloe Riassetto (pitcher)
