Following the disappointing series loss to Texas over the weekend, the No. 24 Texas Tech baseball team could have fallen into a trap against New Mexico State at home this week. However, the Red Raiders took care of business by sweeping the two-game series with the Aggies to get back on the winning track before resuming Big 12 play in Waco this weekend against Baylor.
Tuesday, the Red Raiders claimed a 13-7 win thanks to a big inning at the plate and a strong start on the mound. With the game knotted at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Tech's lethal offense would explode for nine big runs.
Shortstop Tracer Lopez opened the scoring with an RBI triple. Then, he would score on an infield single by catcher Dylan Maxcey.
A Will Burns single would plate another runner as would an Austin Green Walk. Then, Damian Bravo's double would clear the bases to tack on three more runs. Finally, TJ Pompey finished the scoring in the inning with a two-RBI base hit of his own for an 11-2 Red Raider lead.
After that, it was all up to the Tech pitching staff. Starter Zane Petty tossed six complete innings giving up only two earned runs to help keep the Aggies at bay. He struck out seven and walked only one while tossing 93 pitches on the day.
On Wednesday, Tech got a little bit more of a test from NMSU. In the 9-7 win, Tech scored all of its runs by the end of the 4th inning. That included a 6-run bottom of the 4th that saw 12 Red Raiders come to the plate.
Pompey, Maxcey, and Lopez each had an RBI on consecutive at-bats. Then, Cade McGee would bring home a run after being hit with the bases loaded. Next, a walk by Drew Woodcox would plate another run. Tech's big inning also included an RBI by Bravo, who reached on a fielder's choice.
However, in this game, the Aggies had some fight. They would score one run in the 6th and three in the 9th to make things rather tense for the home team.
However, after an Aggie homer cut the lead to just two runs, Tech's Trendan Parish would come on to get the final two outs of the game for the save. The win went to Parker Hutyra who worked 1.1 innings of work giving up three hits but allowing no runs.
The Red Raiders remain a work in progress, especially on the mound where they have the 11th-worst ERA of the 13 teams in the league. Hopefully, that will start to improve this weekend in Waco.
The Bears are currently just 5-11 on the season. Last weekend, they were swept by Houston to open Big 12 play so the upcoming series could be an opportunity for the Red Raiders to work out some kinks as the season picks up steam.