Fast Start, Strong Close Pushes No. 21 Tech Past Oregon, 11-7

LUBBOCK, Texas — Powered by a six-run second inning and five runs in the final four innings, No. 21 Texas Tech Baseball downed Oregon, 11-7 Sunday afternoon in the third and final game of the 2024 Shriners Children’s Showdown presented by Kubota at Globe Life Field.

With the victory, Texas Tech (2-1) closed the seasons opening weekend with two straight wins after falling to No. 9 Tennessee on Friday, 6-2.

Tech got huge contributions up and down its roster on Sunday, as the pitchers combined to punch out 16 Oregon (2-1) batters, while Austin Green (3-for-5, 4 RBI) and Damian Bravo (3-for-4, 4 RBI) combined for eight of Tech’s 11 runs on the night.

Green hit the first Red Raider home run of the season in the six-run second, while Bravo added three doubles in the victory.

Sunday’s game got off to a strong start for the Red Raiders, as junior Jack Washburn retired the first seven batters of the game with four strikeouts. Washburn went 4.0+ innings in his Red Raider debut, allowing six hits and three runs. The righty walked just one and struck out six, one shy of his career-high.

With the strong start on the mound, Tech used the momentum to seize control early.

The Red Raiders used a walk, a single and a wild pitch to place a pair of runners in scoring position for Bravo.

On the second pitch of the at-bat, Bravo ripped a ball down the third base line recording his first of three doubles. The base hit gave Tech a 2-0 lead.

After a walk and single loaded the bases, a Tracer Lopez sac-fly plated Cade McGee who walked to start the frame.

The next Tech batter, Green, put the capper on the frame as he drove the first pitch from Toby Twist over the left field wall for a three-run bomb.

Armed with a six-run lead, Washburn worked around a pair of runners to get through the third and fourth innings unscathed.

Beginning the fifth with that same 6-0 lead, and just three outs from his first victory as a Red Raider, Washburn immediately found trouble in the frame, as Oregon used a pair of singles sandwiched between a double to pull to within 6-2. The three straight hits chased Washburn from the game in favor of Bridges.

After a tough six pitch walk, Bridges rebounded to retire the next two batters, but a pair of two outs singles prompted a third pitching change. Josh Sanders entered for the lefty and promptly ended the frame on a single.

In the home half of the fifth, Tech got one of Oregon’s four runs back, when Bravo plated McGee for the second time in the game on another double.

Oregon again put pressure on Tech in the top of the sixth, using a single, a walk and a single to pull to within 7-6.

With a runner on second base and nobody out, Sanders buckled down, retiring three of the next four batters.

Sanders (1-0) ended the game with 1.1 innings pitched, allowing a pair of runs (one earned) and a pair of strikeouts to earn the victory.

Needing a response, Tech used a solo home run from Lopez and a clutch RBI single from Gavin Kash to pull back ahead by three runs (9-6).

Needing to close out the game, Tech turned to reliever Max Huffling, who shined in his first outing as a Red Raider.

The lefty went three innings pitched allowing just one run and striking out seven. The southpaw earned the save.

With the win, Tech closed the opening weekend of the season at 2-1 with a pair of wins over teams that were predicted to finished inside the top-five of a power five league.

On the weekend, Tech’s bullpen proved strong, as 11 different arms combined to throw 17 innings on the weekend, allowing just seven runs (3.71 ERA) with 22 strikeouts and just five walks. In the two wins, the pen allowed just four of those seven runs.

The Red Raiders averaged 6.3 runs/game over the opening weekend, outscoring their three opponents 19-16.

HC TIM TADLOCK:

On what he saw this weekend:
“For opening weekend to get to come to this venue [Globe Life Field] and play the three teams we played, we got a lot of feedback. Both individually and collectively. All of our individuals are in a different spot at all times within your roster, both physically and mentally. As far as both goes, we’re striving to get everyone on that roster to be abler to give us contributions and get them to play at the highest level they can. But really it was good competition and it was really fun.”

On J. Washburn’s debut:
“It’s been a long road for him. He’s pitched out of the bullpen pretty much his whole college career and has probably always believed he can start. You saw today with his makeup and presence on the mound he’s going to be able to do that. I was really proud of him and his arm his healthy for the first time in a couple of years. What I mean by that, is that it feels right. He has nothing bothering him and I think the stuff is just going to get better. Jack’s fastball ‘plays up’ a bit, no matter where it is, and he some deception. Obviously that comes with a good delivery, a high frontside and all the things good pitchers do.”

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders close out a seven-day, five-game stay at Globe Life Field later this week when they face UTA (Tuesday) and No. 7 Oregon State on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. and Noon respectively.

–TECH–

Release Provided By Andrew Stern Texas Tech Athletics