Sunday afternoon No. 25 Texas Tech defeated Baylor 6-5 in the series finale to clinch their first Big 12 series of the year. The Red Raiders clinched their first Big 12 opening series since 2013.
Texas Tech (12-7, 2-1 Big 12) drew first blood, using a four-run second inning to lead Baylor (8-11, 1-2 Big 12) after two trips to the plate.
In the second inning with two outs, the Raiders had the bases loaded and Tech senior catcher Tyler Floyd cleared the bases with a three RBI triple to left center that scored Trey Ochoa, Cody Farhat and Ryan Long. Then, later in the frame a single from Tech junior outfielder Stephen Smith scored Floyd and the Red Raiders controlled a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning Baylor responded with three runs of their own to cuts Texas Tech’s lead to 4-3.
Tech responded with two more runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning to build the Raiders lead to 6-3. With nobody on to start the inning Smith hit a solo homerun over the left field wall to give Tech the 5-3 lead. Then, later in the frame Tech senior first baseman Eric Gutierrez singled up the middle to score Tech sophomore outfielder Tanner Gardner and pump Tech’s lead to 6-3.
However, the Bears just didn’t want to go away. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Baylor would tack on two more runs on three hits. Baylor cutting Texas Tech’s lead to 6-5.
Texas Tech would hold off the Baylor comeback on day three, earning their second win in Waco 6-5.
Texas Tech will return home to host New Mexico in a midweek game on Tuesday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
