LUBBOCK, Texas – Erikson Lanning tossed six shutout innings in his first collegiate start Sunday, lifting No. 25 Texas Tech to its second straight two-hitter as the Red Raiders dropped Milwaukee, 12-0, in the series finale at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
Lanning was effective from the beginning as the southpaw failed to allow a hit until a John Boidanis single to lead off the fifth inning. It was the only hitter given up by Lanning as he retired Milwaukee (1-3) in order in four of six innings.
Lanning (1-0), who struck out four while surrendering just one walk, is the first Red Raider freshman to both earn the win and combine on a shutout in his first collegiate start since Matt Withrow helped the Red Raiders trounce Northern Illinois, 13-0, on Feb. 17, 2013.
Lanning’s performance followed a 9-1 victory in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader where Ty Damron and Davis Martin also combined to hold the Panthers to just two hits. Tech (3-1) had not previously tossed consecutive two-hit outings against an opponent dating back to the 2001 season.
Hayden Howard allowed the only other Milwaukee hit in his two innings in relief of Lanning. Parker Mushinski tossed a scoreless ninth inning to complete the victory.
Lanning benefited from an early lead as the Red Raiders plated three runs in the first inning, beginning with a bases-loaded plunking of Eric Gutierrez that was followed by a two-run single by Ryan Long. Gutierrez has now driven home Tech’s first run in the opening inning in all four games this season.
Long matched his career high with four RBI as he also connected on a RBI single in the fifth and then a sacrifice fly to cap a seven-run eighth inning. It was the first time Tech had scored seven or more runs in an inning since the Red Raiders plated eight runs in the seventh inning on April 21 last year against Abilene Christian.
Long, who finished 3-for-4 overall at the plate, was one of seven Red Raiders with at least two hits in the win, joining Cory Raley (2-for-4), Orlando Garcia (2-for-4), Stephen Smith (2-for-3), Gutierrez (2-for-3), Tanner Gardner (2-for-4) and Michael Davis (2-for-5).
Gutierrez and Cody Farhat joined Long with multiple-RBI performances as Gutierrez also singled home a run in the eighth while Farhat drove in a pair of runs later in the inning in a pinch-hit opportunity.
Tech scored a run in four-consecutive at-bats in the eighth, beginning with a Raley sacrifice fly that was followed by RBI singles from Garcia, Smith and Gutierrez. The Red Raiders started the inning by loading the bases as Long singled while Michael Davis doubled off the wall in centerfield and Tyler Floyd drew a walk.
Brian Keller (0-1) suffered the loss for Milwaukee after surrendering five runs off nine hits and three strikeouts over five complete innings. The Panthers received two shutout innings of relief from Jared Reklaitis before John Moynihan and Zach Brenner combined to toss the eighth inning.
The Red Raiders hit the road for four games this next week, beginning Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch at Sam Houston State. Tech will travel from there to the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic that begins Friday afternoon at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Courtesy: Texas Tech Sports Information Department