LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 25 Texas Tech used a pair of four-run innings to score its most runs on Opening Day since 2009 as the Red Raiders dropped Milwaukee, 12-3, in front of 4,070 fans at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
The victory improved the Red Raiders to 43-24 all-time on Opening Day, which includes a 16-2 mark since the start of the 1999 season. Tech is also 29-2 now in home openers dating back to 1985.
Stephen Smith led the way for the Red Raiders, finishing 4-for-5 with three RBI at the plate. The performance marked the most hits for a Red Raider on Opening Day since John Capps totaled four as well against Louisiana-Monroe in 2006.
Three of Smith’s four hits came off doubles as he provided Tech’s first hit of the season in the opening inning with a double down the left-field line. He scored moments later off a RBI single from Eric Gutierrez.
Smith contributed to both of Tech’s four-run innings with a RBI double in the fourth and a two-run double in the seventh. It marked the first time a Red Raider has recorded three doubles on Opening Day dating back to the start of the 1987 season.
Gutierrez (2-for-3) and Cory Raley (3-for-5), meanwhile, also added three RBI each to boast a top of a Red Raider lineup that accounted for 11 of Tech’s 12 RBI in the rout. Orlando Garcia also drove in a pair of runs to help Tech score its most runs on Opening Day since the Red Raiders defeated Southern Utah, 14-3, in 2009.
Tanner Gardner drove home Tech’s only run not coming from its top four hitters in the lineup as he drilled a RBI single to right field to cap the fourth inning. Gardner, making his first career Opening Day start in centerfield, finished 3-for-4 overall with two runs scored.
Ryan Moseley (1-0), making the second Opening Day start of his career, picked up the win for the Red Raiders after the right-hander allowed two runs, one of which that was earned, off five hits and four strikeouts.
He was relieved by a trio of Red Raiders making their Tech debuts, beginning with Robert Dugger who tossed one complete inning, allowing a run off two hits in the sixth. Hayden Howard followed with two shutout innings before Chandler Eden closed the game with a scoreless ninth.
The Red Raider pitching staff was boosted by a defense that turned five double plays, Tech’s most on Opening Day dating back to 1987. The Red Raiders last turned five double plays in a game on March 18 last year against Oral Roberts.
Austin Schulfer (0-1) suffered the loss for Milwaukee after surrendering six runs off seven hits and three strikeouts over 3.2 innings. He was relieved late in the fourth inning by Jake Tuttle, one of four Milwaukee relievers.
The Red Raiders continue their four-game series against Milwaukee with a 12 p.m. doubleheader Saturday afternoon inside Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
Courtesy: Texas Tech Sports Information