It was a day characterized by a team just refusing to go away. The Red Raiders built an 8-1 lead after the fourth inning, but UCONN continued to hang around scratching and clawing for an opportunity against the ninth-ranked team in the nation. When the Huskies pulled within 4 in the final frame, Connor Queen was brought in to finish the job. After giving up a 2-RBI leadoff double, Queen received a visit from Texas Tech Pitching Coach Matt Gardner.
“He reminded me to remember to execute pitches, and not just to lay up,” said Queen of that visit. “Not try to be so fine, just throw what he calls and just be who I am”
Queen did get locked in and earned his third save of the week, needing 15 total pitches to achieve that feat. But it was Dru Baker he owes dinner tonight for securing the final out. Baker, who lit up the scorebook in Saturday’s 10-3 victory, collided with Dylan Neuse while making the catch on the fly ball to left-center. Baker went to the ground but held on and lifted his glove triumphantly for his second star in the book and a victory for the Red Raiders.
As the sprawling 4-hour and 17-minute game stretched on, it seemed Red Raider focus began to wane somewhat, perhaps the relentless 25 mph West Texas winds played their part as well. After a clean game all day, Texas Tech gave up an error an inning in the final three frames, only one of which resulted in a run.
The good guys worked their leadoff man aboard in 7 of their 8 innings of work and scored in every inning of the day. This is the first time that’s happened in a 9-inning game dating back to at least 2003. Tech plated two in the first after Baker and Jung reached on free passes. Baker, the first of 7 hit batsmen on the day, and Jung on the first of 8 walks issued by Husky arms.
The HBP total was a hot topic in the grumbling and jawing of Red Raider faithful in the stands, as they tired quickly of seeing batters plunked. Two innings saw two apiece and enough were worn to go digging through the record books. The last time the Red Raiders had more in their lineup hit was February 18, 2018 against Maine in that season’s opening weekend. Tech had 8 batters plunked that Saturdayday, including Cameron Warren, who celebrated his first Red Raider home run the day prior by wearing 4 the next.
While ice packs may be in short supply in the clubhouse later, RBI and hits were not, as Tech tallied their dozenth hit in the top of the eighth and finished the day with 14 overall. Sprinkled across the scoresheet were 9 RBI, with Parker Kelly leading the way with 3. Jung pounded the lone home run of the game in the fifth inning, a solo shot pulled into the jetstream in left field on a 1-1 offering from new pitcher Brendan O’Donnell.
Another big stroke came later in the fifth with two outs. Braxton Fulford sent a long flier into the left-center field gap. As both Husky fielders traveled along the wall to make the play, the left fielder got a glove on it but a violent collision ensued, knocking the ball loose and putting center fielder Chris Winkel on the ground for an extended period, ultimately forcing his exit from the game. Fulford’s long ball was ruled an RBI triple by the official scorer and that’s the third of his Red Raider career, and first since 2019 against Oklahoma on the road.
Fulford also helped set the tone early as he gunned down the game’s first baserunner at second for his 5th caught stealing of the season.
Tech’s 13 runs allowed in a victory were the most since a 25-17 win at New Mexico in 2017, and the Red Raiders were also outhit today for the fourth time in a victory this season. Mason Montgomery got the start on the mound on a tough day for all pitchers. Montgomery went 4.1 innings, his 2nd shortest outing of four, and worked through 90 pitches in the process.
The game saw 414 pitches thrown as the five Red Raider pitchers that came out of the bullpen in relief of the lefty from Leander combined with Montgomery to toss 205 pitches to the plate. The Huskies also sent five men to the mound after starter Austin Peterson was run after 1.1 innings. UCONN reached deep, ultimately pulling right fielder Erick Stock to the mound for the final inning, giving up their DH in the process. Their six pitchers combined for 209 tosses in the afternoon.
“It was an offensive day, everybody could see that from the start of it,” said Tadlock. “It was a Sunday, add in some good Lubbock wind and it was a fun day to watch the guys play. Not an easy day to go to the mound obviously, ball in the air was an issue.”
The Red Raiders secured the series win today over UCONN as they take a 3-0 advantage and will look for the sweep, and their 14th consecutive victory, tomorrow. When asked about how to prepare for an early first pitch following a long windswept game, Tadlock had this to say.
“Probably some coffee right out of the chute, maybe a breakfast taco, maybe a hot dog about noon,” said Tadlock. “Play baseball. I mean, it’s a new day, we might get the java going in there early.”
I find it hard to disagree.
TTU16