When the media gathered to speak with Texas Tech head baseball coach Tim Tadlock before the season began last Wednesday, he fielded the usual variety of questions, whether that be about the upcoming opponent, a player's performance, or a position battle. Things that are commonplace at just about any media availability.

However, the last question volleyed to Tadlock was a bit different. It was about which stadium he was most excited to get to play in on an away trip this spring. His answer?

"Omaha."

Those gathered in attendance chuckled and smiled after the Red Raiders' skipper said it.

But he didn't.

After taking his team to its first College World Series appearance in program history in only his second season at the helm in 2014, the expectations have skyrocketed for Red Raider baseball, and that's the way Tadlock likes it.

A disappointing season last spring marred with missed opportunities, including just missing the postseason has this Tech team - led by senior first baseman Eric Gutierrez, senior left fielder Tyler Neslony, and junior right fielder Stephen Smith - hungry for much more in 2016.

It's a group that's a great mix of grizzled vets and talented youngsters, and it has Stephen Smith excited about what this team could be this spring.

"I'm really confident with where we're at right now," said Smith. "We have a lot of things to work on, but we have really good team chemistry, and I'm extremely confident in our team right now. We're talking to these young guys a lot, telling them what to expect with this season. I think that's going to help them for the future, and hopefully we can pick up a whole lot of wins."

Freshman outfielder Cody Farhat, and JUCO transfer pitchers Robert Dugger and Hayden Howard are three of several newcomers that Smith believes could bring some immediate depth to the roster as well.

There are a number of position battles that still seem to be raging, and they'll likely keep going on into the early stages of the season. In the infield, experienced guys at second and short such as Hunter Hargrove, Tanner Gardner, and Orlando Garcia are pushing each other, at third Michael Davis and Ryan Long are fighting it out, and newcomer freshman Trey Ochoa is trying to make a push and earn a starting slot right out of the gate somewhere at one of the three. Then you have what appear to be clear cut front runners with Cory Raley in centerfield and Kholeton Sanchez at catcher.

There are a whole lot of options across the board, and that excites Smith.

"We have a lot of talented guys on this team, the most talent since I've been here, since the Omaha team. It's going to be fun to watch these guys compete every day. It's going to be great getting to see these guys get great at-bats, play good defense, and I'm just looking forward to it. It's going to be a fun year, and I can't wait to watch these guys succeed."

However, 2015's team had talent, too. So, why were the results so different?

"Last year, we didn't get the clutch at-bats, didn't get the key out, didn't make the key plays." said Smith. "It's a little bit of luck, too. When we went to Omaha, we had a little bit of luck. With this year, I think we're going to be a lot better this year. I'm ready to see how it plays out."

One guy who has been here for all the ups and downs over the last three seasons is Eric Gutierrez. The steady hand at first base, Gute has been one of the beacons and voices for this team for years. Now, it's he and Tyler Neslony's final season at Rip Griffin Park. Those two are the embodiment of what Red Raider baseball under Tim Tadlock is, and Smith is ready go to bat for his elders.

"(Gutierrez) is definitely the leader of our team, he and Tyler Neslony. It seems like they've been here forever," he said. "We're playing for them. They've been here for four years, they've put a lot into this program, and every time I go out there, I'm playing for the seniors. This is their last rodeo, I'm playing for them, and hopefully we can get a lot of wins, making it to that second Omaha."

Friday begins the journey, the road back to the postseason, and if Smith has anything to say about, a trip back to the CWS. He's ready for Friday.

"It's so exciting getting to play on one of the best fields in the entire nation. It's going to be fun this year, and we have great fan support. It's going to be one heck of a year, and I'm ready for it."