Red Raiders Defeat Baylor In Conference Opener Finale
The #5 Texas Tech baseball squad concluded their eight game road trip with their first conference series of the season against the Baylor Bears in Waco. After dropping the first two games of the set, the Red Raiders were able to bounce back and pick up their first Big 12 Conference win, defeating the Bears 11 to 4.
Sophomore left fielder Grant Little would get the scoring started early in the 1st inning, as he would rip a double into the gap in right center which would bring home two runners giving Tech the quick 2-0 lead.
It was a tie game going in to the 4th inning at 3-3, however the Red Raiders would proceed to plate home five runs to break the game wide open. A Gabe Holt RBI single into center field and a Michael Davis 2 RBI double would make it 6-3. Zach Rheams would then pinch-hit with a runner on and smash a homerun to right field for his 1st homerun of the year making it 8-3 for the Red Raiders.
Tech would put up a two runs in the 5th inning and score one more in the 8th inning before it was all said and done, giving the Red Raiders their first conference victory while avoiding the sweep.
Ryan Shetter would get the starting nod in the finale, however he was bounced early from the contest only lasting two innings, giving up three runs off two hits, walking one better and striking out one. Junior right-hander Ty Harpenau would relieve Shetter and throw 4 innings, giving up only one earned run off five hits. Harpenau would also be the winning pitcher of record as he picked up his second win of the year, improving to 2-1.
Texas Tech (17-5) returns home after their eight game road trip and will take on the Northeastern Huskies (9-5). The first game will be on Friday with a double header on Saturday, and the finale on Sunday. All of these games will be at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.