How Owen Washburn Continues to Impress as Season Goes On

The Red Raiders are preparing for their regular-season finale to begin this Thursday evening against the Oklahoma Sooners in Lubbock. After a red-hot weekend in Stillwater last week, Tim Tadlock will be looking for his team to finish strong, with the possibility to finish at the top of the Big 12 standings and amongst the best-ranked teams in the country. One of the players he will look to will be last week’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

Freshman Owen Washburn, who wears No. 25, joined the Red Raiders this season from Webster High School in Webster, Wisconsin. Owen is the son of Jarrod Washburn who played 12 years as a pitcher in the MLB, for the Anaheim Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Detroit Tigers.

During his high school career, Washburn posted a .746 batting average with nine home runs, 73 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. On the mound, Washburn recorded a 1.00 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched. He earned the honor of being named Wisconsin’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Initially committing to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Washburn decommitted over the summer of 2021 and signed with the Red Raiders on August 5, 2021.

Since joining the team Washburn has been a consistent bat for the Tech offense. In his first year thus far, he holds a .305 batting average, with 57 hits, 46 RBIs, and seven home runs. The freshman has remained just as consistent in the field with a fielding percentage of .987.

Washburn picked up his first Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors back on March 7th, after Tech handily swept Merrimack College in Lubbock. Through four games, Washburn collected six hits, including two home runs.

After last weekend’s performance in Stillwater, Washburn has been named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season. On Friday evening Washburn went 2-5, with two doubles and an RBI, helping the Red Raiders pull ahead of the Oklahoma State Cowboys 7-6. On Saturday, he only had one hit, but it was a huge hit. With Tech up 4-1 in the 5th inning Washburn cleared the bases with a grand slam to left field. On Sunday, Washburn closed out the series going 3-5 with 2 RBI in the 6-4 win over the Cowboys.

Washburn has been a strong freshman contributor this season and will be one to watch as we move into the postseason.