#1 Texas Tech defeats #3 New Mexico 4-3, and moves on to the regional final.
The Red Raiders will face the winner of #2 Dallas Baptist and #3 New Mexico at 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in the regional final.
In the top of the 9th inning, Tech junior outfielder Stephen Smith hit a home run to the opposite field to give Tech the 4-3 lead. The Raiders held on from their to move on to their first regional final since 2014 in Coral Gables.
Recap:
In the top of the third inning, Tech sophomore center fielder Tanner Gardner laced a single up the middle to score sophomore short stop Orlando Garcia, giving Texas Tech the 1-0 lead.
Then in the bottom of the third, a failed 3-6-1 double play attempt, gave UNM extra life. With two outs, New Mexico freshman infielder Jared Mang hit a two-run home run, to give the Lobos their first lead of the game, 2-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Lobos tacked on one more run after Tech junior RHP Robert Dugger threw a wild pitch, and Lobos’ Luis Gonzalez scored from third, giving New Mexico the 3-1 lead.
Then in the 8th inning, Ryan Long pinch hit for Texas Tech with the bases loaded and two outs, and came through with a 2-RBI single up the middle to even the score at 3-3.
Then in the 9th inning, Stephen Smith hit a home run to the opposite field, and gave the Red Raiders the 4-3 lead, their first lead of the game since leading 1-0.
Stick with us for live scoring updates, highlights and post game reaction tonight at 10 p.m. in Red Raider Nation on KAMC News.