Two different personalities, different skillsets, and different journeys, but now both Ty Coleman and Bo Blessie (1-0) are Red Raiders who on Sunday, led #24 Texas Tech (3-0) to their first series win of the season with a 12-3 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs (0-3). The back-to-back West Coast Conference regular season champions, and 2023 preseason favorite, have been outscored by Tech 30-10 so far in the four-game series.
Bullpen Shines on Opening Day | Molina Shoves Tech to Second Victory
“I would say a career day is pretty cool to watch, and do it, but seeing Bo go out there and dominate the strike zone, I mean I talked about it before the season started ‘guy’s gonna be fun to watch’ and that he was today,” said Coleman “I think it was 5 2/3 that he got no-hit, it was just fun to watch him pitch today. I’ve been seeing it for 10 years now.”
“Thanks,” said Blessie.
“You got it,” responded Coleman.
It was certainly a day to remember for both as Blessie went 6.0IP, 1H, 0R, 4BB, 4K and Coleman went 5-for-5, 2 2B, 3RBI, 4R.
Blessie and Coleman have been teammates dating back to their high school days at Midland Lee, now the roommates, who have three other stops between them prior to coming to Texas Tech, are two senior leaders on an extremely talented Red Raider squad that enters the season with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.
Texas Tech under Head Coach Tim Tadlock has become accustomed to high national expectations and top 10 preseason rankings, but coming into 2023 the unknowns of significant turnover led to lower-than-normal rankings and less preseason love.
Tadlock has alluded to the team’s mindset and playing with a chip on their shoulder entering a season looking to make a name for themselves as the 2023 team. Coleman put a finer point on it.
“I think we’re going to be really talented, we’re going to shock a lot of people,” said Coleman. “I mean, the hottest guy on our team is hitting in the six-hole right now, [Gavin Kash] and he’s driving in more runs than anybody. If we’re that complete top to bottom, it’s going to be really fun to watch. We’ve got guys that throw electric stuff, get guys out, and then we’re going to score runs on top of it.”
🖐️ hit day@TyColeman7 went 5-for-5 today (career high) with 2 doubles and led us with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. pic.twitter.com/R0MXXcYSEj
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) February 20, 2023
Blessie turned in 5 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball Sunday, ultimately giving up only one single while striking out four. He becomes the third Red Raider in extended work this weekend that one-hit the Bulldogs. Brendan Girton, Mason Molina, and Blessie have combined for 17 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, and 17 strikeouts.
Blessie was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 36th round of the MLB Draft, but chose instead to go to Nebraska as the #3 player in Texas. After two years with the Cornhuskers, Blessie came home to Midland College for a season before joining Texas Tech last year.
“Going through all the adversity I’ve been through, this is really it for me as far as college baseball goes. I have nothing to lose,” explained Blessie. “Ya know finally got a beginning of the season where I’m feeling good, feeling healthy and everything’s looking up so I’m really just trying to make the most of the situation that I have right now.
Everything happens for a reason is really all I can say. I don’t know why it happens but I’m just grateful to be here.”
Stay blessed 🙏@BlessieBo tossed 6 shutout innings in his first start as a Red Raider.
He didn’t allow a hit until the sixth. pic.twitter.com/Zv7ZVQyLQa
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) February 20, 2023
As Coleman mentioned, Kash had another big day at the plate going 3-4, 3B, BB, 2RBI, 2R, he’s posting a slashline of .667/.714/1.222 so far this season. Additionally, he’s the team leader in RBIs with 6. Kevin Bazzell turned in another good day going 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 2R and Gage Harrelson had the first multi-hit day of his career and posted a walk and two RBIs as well.
Freshman Will Burns also saw his first action at shortstop and while he ended the day still hunting his first collegiate hit, he did find his way aboard twice and booked two RBIs.
Returner Andrew Devine also saw his first appearance out of the bullpen and posted a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit, 1 walk, and booking 1 strikeout.
The Red Raiders will be back at it Monday morning at 11:00 am seeking the sweep of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Trendan Parish will get the start for the Red Raiders on the mound and the broadcast will be available on Big 12 Now on ESPN+, Double T 97.3 FM, and The Varsity App.
