ABILENE – The #9 Red Raiders (32-16) went to Abilene looking for revenge after losing to the Wildcats (23-20) a week ago 5-8 in Lubbock. The 16-12 victory was the first midweek win for the Red Raiders since beating Stephen F. Austin in Lubbock 13-5 on March 30. Since that time they were swept in two games by Grand Canyon (4-9, 7-8), lost a non-conference game to Oklahoma in Amarillo (9-14), were walked off by New Mexico in Albuquerque (10-11), and lost to ACU.
Tuesday night at Crutcher Scott Field, in front of a sold-out Red Raider-laden crowd of 4,078, was the longest nine-inning game (by time) in Texas Tech baseball history.
The marathon midweek offering started at 6:05 pm and ended at 10:43 pm, a 4-hour and 42-minute affair. That’s the longest game of the season for the Red Raiders and ties for the third-longest game in Texas Tech history. The tie is with another matchup against Abilene Christian in the Tim Tadlock era. A 16-inning affair in Lubbock in 2015 that resulted in a 6-5 victory for the Red Raiders.
Every Texas Tech starter booked at least an RBI Tuesday and Cole Stilwell, Kurt Wilson, Parker Kelly, and Dillon Carter all notched multi-hit games. Tech walked into the sixth inning looking at a 3-6 deficit, but a nine-run frame gave Tech the lead and they didn’t relinquish it the rest of the way.
Carter, who has scuffled at the plate much of the season, entered the game batting .178. He went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in the fifth that got Tech on the board to make it a 2-3 ballgame. He also chipped in a walk, knocked in three, and scored three runs as well.
Kelly ended the day 4-for-5 (a career-high) with a walk, his ninth home run, and two doubles. The homer was a three-run tank that disappeared into the Abilene sky on a 405-foot ride. He was a triple shy of the natural cycle with a BB, 1B, 2B, and HR.
𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐀 𝟗-𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐗𝐓𝐇@ParkerKelly22 demolishes that baseball 405 feet into the greater Abilene area 💣
The 3-run homer gives us an 11-6 lead‼️ pic.twitter.com/CsvwdIJiUF
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 4, 2022
Easton Murrell wore a pitch for the 21st time of 2022, giving Dr. Plunkenstein sole ownership of third place in the Tech record books for HBP in a season. He passed Eric Gutierrez who had 20 HBP in 2013 and 2016. Ahead of Murrell at second on that list is Jamodrick McGruder with 25 HBP in 2011.
Stilwell also pounded a two-run moonshot in the seventh and Murrell and Wilson each chipped in a double as part of their work at the plate.
Even in an offensive slugfest, the Red Raiders flashed the leather. In the fifth, Wilson snagged a tough grounder and Stilwell dug it out beautifully to end the frame. Jace Jung got in on the fun in the ninth with a diving stop and throw from his knee to save a run and make the first out of the final frame.
Elite defense, @jace17jung pic.twitter.com/aLfgSerDGx
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 4, 2022
Mason Molina got the start for the Red Raiders. He fanned six Wildcats in 4 innings of work allowing 3 runs on 7 hits. The Red Raider bullpen contributed six arms to the cause and Andrew Devine, who relieved Molina for the fifth, earned the win to improve to 2-1. ACU used 10 arms on the evening and both teams combined to throw 445 pitches.
Trendan Parish entered in the eighth inning to a 15-10 Tech lead, but with the tying run on deck, it became a save opportunity for the freshman. Parish ended the threat with a sacrifice fly and a groundout but with two outs hung in the ninth, Head Coach Tim Tadlock shot out of the dugout to check on the young right-hander. Trainer Bryan Simpson joined quickly and Parish could be seen pointing at his right elbow before being pulled from the game. Jamie Hitt took Tech the rest of the way.
In a season that’s seen Tech struggle to find answers in its bullpen, it goes without saying that the loss of Parish, who has 6 saves in 20 appearances and 28 1/3 innings pitched would be another body shot to a reeling Texas Tech pitching staff.
The Red Raiders will now have a 10-day finals break before heading to Stillwater to take on the currently #3 Oklahoma State Cowboys who lead the Big 12 with a 13-5 record. Tech currently sits at third in the conference at 11-7 with TCU at second with a 12-6 record.
First-pitch in Stillwater is set for 6:00 pm on Friday, May 13. The live stream will be available on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with the radio call available on Double T 97.3 FM and in their listening area, as well as through The Varsity Network App.
TTU48 box score