Texas Tech Baseball: The Texas Tech baseball team represents the Texas Technical University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The Red Raiders compete in the Big 12 Conference and play at Rip Griffin Park’s Dan Law Field. Head coach Tim Tadlock is in his ninth season with the Red Raiders. The team has been a powerhouse in the Big 12 for decades, but has experienced some recent downturns in recent years. Read on for more information about the Red Raiders.
TCU matched Tech’s offense in the top of the seventh
After a scoreless first inning, TCU matched Tech’s offense in the top of the eighth to take a 4-3 lead. The Red Raiders scored three runs in the fifth on a double by Kurt Wilson and two more in the sixth on a RBI single by Jace Jung. A three-run home run by Easton Murrell capped the scoring in the seventh inning for Texas Tech.
A win over Texas Tech would extend their winning streak to 17 games, including 16-0 at home. TCU had already defeated West Virginia on Monday and fell to No. 20 Texas last Wednesday. The rescheduled game forced the Red Raiders to play three games in three days. TCU had not swept Texas, Baylor, and TCU in the same season since 1996, so a win over the Red Raiders would mean clinching at least a share of the conference title.
Despite the loss, TCU still has plenty of momentum heading into its weekend series against Texas Tech. After beating Iowa State on Tuesday, the Red Raiders are now 7-3 in the Big 12 and tied for third place. The Red Raiders lost their previous game, which meant they fell out of the top spot and will have to play a make-up game to earn a win against Texas Tech.
In the Big 12 conference, Texas Tech ranks ninth overall. This loss was the Red Raiders’ fourth straight road game, and they have lost three in a row. The Red Raiders are currently 3-2 on the road, and TCU is a familiar foe for both. Their road records are similar – both have a 9-3 record. If TCU can avoid losing their next road game, the Red Raiders should be able to get the win. They will play the Horned Frogs for the Big 12 title on Monday.
Though Kingsbury is back on the hot seat after two in-conference losses, the Horned Frogs still have some time to make necessary corrections. A strong showing in Norman is crucial in recruiting. If Texas Tech is going to be in the NCAA Tournament, a win in Norman will go a long way in helping it to secure the No. 2 seed. This game will be an interesting test for Texas Tech.
While TCU had a tough time defending their lead, they remained close in the game throughout the first half. Texas Tech combined for 512 yards on offense in the first quarter. Josh Doctson and Deante’ Gray caught touchdown passes for TCU in the second quarter. TCU’s offense scored the final touchdown with a Ty Slanina catch in the third quarter.
Tech relief pitcher Brendan Girton threw a no-hitter in the eighth
After a rough start to the season, Tech relief pitcher Brendan Girton has thrown a no-hitter in the eighth inning and is the favorite to win the game. Girton comes from Gage, Oklahoma, and played for three state-championship football teams. He transferred to Texas Tech after his freshman year and is 3-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 17 starts. Girton struck out 19 batters in a no-hitter in his last start, and has not allowed a run in 17 innings.
The Red Raiders’ bullpen pitched well all season, but Girton’s no-hitter in the eighth inning was his best. He started with two fastballs over 94 mph and reached 96 a few times in the fourth and fifth. He threw a few sliders below the belt, but otherwise was very effective in the game.
Texas Tech was down four runs in the top of the seventh inning, but their offense kept the score close. They scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull within a single run. In the bottom of the eighth, the Red Raiders scored three runs. Dalton Porter hit a sacrifice fly and Owen Washburn hit a two-out RBI single.
In game two of the series, the Bulldogs defeated Tech 5-11. Tech relief pitcher Jamie Hitt pitched four innings without allowing a run, and sophomore Colin Clark held the Bulldogs to two runs on three hits. This was a team effort with great pitching. If you’re wondering who was the better pitcher in the field on the day, it’s the Tech relief pitchers.
The win over Mississippi State is an important statement nationally and is a great resume builder heading into the RPI. In addition to winning the game, Texas Tech ended a six-game losing streak against the Bulldogs dating back to 2017. The victory evened the series. A five-run second inning gave Texas Tech a 2-1 lead. The Tech bullpen also dominated the Tigers on day two, resulting in a 7-0 win.
The Red Raiders will be on the road again this weekend to face the Rice Owls. The Rice Owls are currently 3-10 and have been swept by Texas and Baylor. They were swept by Baylor in a midweek game last week and could use a series win against Tech to improve their record. The Red Raiders have played their first series in Texas in a decade.
Tech starter Brandon Birdsell tossed 31 strikeouts against two walks in his last three starts
Texas Tech’s starting pitcher has thrown 31 strikeouts in his last three starts. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound bird topped the radar gun around 96 miles per hour. He threw a breaking ball and was able to fool batters during the first half of the six-inning game. After Birdsell left the game with a high pitch count in the seventh inning, the Owls were unable to score. Instead, Tech’s lineup exploded for three runs in the first inning and went on to score an impressive 14-0 win.
Birdsell threw an impressive five-inning complete-game to shut down the Owls’ offense. In the top of the first, he struck out two of the first four batters. Then, in the third, he struck out three of the next four batters, including Nick Goodwin. From there, the offense took over. The Tech bullpen shut down the Owls’ offense and clinched the series.
Tech’s pitching staff has undergone a significant overhaul in recent years. The team added Patrick Monteverde to its rotation, who transferred from Seton Hill University. Although, he has yet to pitch sharply since replacing Birdsell in Friday’s game, the Texans have two other pitchers in the bullpen to choose from. In the meantime, Micah Dallas and Mason Montgomery have combined for a 3.48 ERA in their last three starts, but Texas Tech won’t start either one.
After a chilly night against Kent State, Texas Tech won 10-7. The game had been postponed because of inclement weather, but was switched to a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. Texas Tech starter Brandon Birdsell tossed 31 strikeouts against two walks in his last three starts. The last three starts of Birdsell haven’t been a problem for him. The sophomore has thrown 31 strikeouts against two walks in his last three starts.
Texas Tech swept the New Mexico Lobos this weekend, taking a 7-2 victory in the second game of the series. The Red Raiders scored six runs in the first inning and added another in the sixth. The Red Raiders also took down Oklahoma 14-9 in Amarillo and won three games in Lawrence. While it’s important to remember that every game is important, this season is all about building momentum. So, prepare to watch a Big 12 debut.
With two wins in a row, Texas Tech is poised for a strong National Championship. The Red Raiders are already in the consensus Prime 25 in Baseball America and D1Baseball and leapt into the Prime 10 in all six major rating programs. The most notable leap they made this weekend was from 23rd to seventh in Baseball America’s poll.
