ALBUQUERQUE – The Red Raiders (18-8, 2-4) wrapped a four-game road trip at the University of New Mexico Tuesday looking to get right after a series sweep in Austin over the weekend that included back-to-back walk-off losses. But the day would end in disappointment and make it three walk-off losses in a row and the second consecutive 11-10 walk-off win for the Lobos (15-8, 5-3) over Tech at Santa Ana Star Field.
Tech looked to be poised to make Tuesday a statement game as they booked five hits in the first inning, including consecutive hits by the first four hitters of the ballgame. Owen Washburn got the scoring started with a two-run home run batting in the two-hole in another start in right field. Kevin Bazzell and Austin Green pounded back-to-back doubles and Hudson White contributed a two-out RBI single to wrap up the early scoring.
Didn’t take long to get on the board 💣@OwenWashburn25 | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/IFPamxFmtL
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) March 28, 2023
It was a different story on the mound for Texas Tech as starter Zane Petty struggled out of the gate surrendering five runs on five hits in the first including a leadoff home run by left fielder Deylan Pigford. They matched the Red Raiders’ one-run second to keep the lead intact and hung a zero on Tech in the third while tacking on two more to make it an 8-5 advantage for the Lobos.
Tech worked a run across in the fourth and fifth frames to close the deficit to one and then put up a crooked number in the seventh to take the lead. After a Jeric Curtis RBI fielder’s choice plated a run while the Lobos failed to record an out, it was Bazzell who played the hero with a two-out two-run single to give the Red Raiders a 10-8 advantage.
Bazzell put together a career day going 5-5 with 3 doubles and 3 RBIs, he joins four teammates with multi-hit days, including Green and White who each booked 3 hits apiece.
3⃣ at-bats, 3⃣ doubles 🤯@KevinBazzell | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/y2T7H3qS0Y
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) March 28, 2023
Jase Lopez hung three scoreless innings on New Mexico facing only two over the minimum and retiring the final six in a row across the fifth and sixth innings. Six Red Raider pitchers saw action Tuesday, including Derek Bridges making his first appearance of the season as he’s working his way back from an injury dating back to 2022.
In the seventh, Bridges struck out the first two hitters he faced but the hook came quickly after he walked the third. Back-to-back singles surrendered by Ethan Coombes gave up a run, and a couple of wild pitches by Ryan Free scored another for the Lobos as Tech saw its short-lived lead evaporate into a 10-10 ballgame.
Lobo pitching retired Texas Tech in order across the eighth and ninth and it was Free’s game in the ninth. He pitched into a flyout for the first out, but Jake Holland would not be denied as he pounded a walk-off bomb off of a left-field light standard to seal the ballgame.
It is the second consecutive season the Lobos have walked off Texas Tech in Albuquerque by a final score of 11-10. The 2022 version came on April 19, and ended a five-game losing streak for the Red Raiders, decimating their RPI, that year there was still a midweek loss to Abilene Christian in Lubbock and a series loss to Oklahoma to close out the Big 12 season on the horizon.
Tuesday’s walk-off loss to New Mexico is the fourth in a row, bringing a four-game road trip to a close with an 0-4 record. The Red Raiders have fallen to 1-6 away from Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park and bring a 17-2 home record to the weekend matchup with Texas Christian.
The sweep at Texas over the weekend was only the fifth weekend series sweep of the Tim Tadlock era:
2013: at K-State
2014: at Kansas
2015: at Cal State Fullerton
2022: at TCU
2023: at Texas
But the Red Raiders have generally rebounded in the series to follow those sweeps, winning the series in the last three opportunities.
2013: lost 2 of 3 to Kansas
2014: swept West Virginia
2015: won 2 of 3 at San Diego State
2022: won 2 of 3 vs West Virginia
Texas Tech will add to that rebound list one way or another this weekend as they host the TCU Horned Frogs (15-9, 4-2) in Lubbock. First pitch for Friday will be at 6:30 pm and both Saturday and Sunday starting at 2:00 pm. All three games will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ with the radio broadcast availabel on Double T 97.3 FM in Lubbock and on The Varsity App.
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