Gavin Kash hit two home runs to lead the Texas Tech baseball team to an 11-6 victory over Texas Tech and Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday at Rip Griffin Park.
Kash hit a home run in each of his first two at-bats, and the Red Raiders (30-17) broke the game open with three runs in the sixth inning to pull away.
With the win, Texas Tech ended a four-game slump that included a home loss to New Mexico and a blowout win over Kansas last weekend. The win, the 450th of Tim Tadlock’s coaching career, came in front of 164 talented dogs at Bark in the Park.
Tadlock becomes the second baseball coach to reach 400 wins, joining Larry Hayes, who compiled an 813-479-3 record from 1987 to 2008.
Offense has the upper hand in the early stages
One young Texas Tech fan yelled, “Already?” UTRGV’s Cade York hit the first pitch of the game against the left field wall for a leadoff double. The first three of his Vaqueros hit safely, and Red’s Raiders were in an early 2-0 hole before stepping up to bat.
Kash was ready for delivery. The slugger hit a home run in his first two at-bats of the game. Davis Rivers hit a solo shot over the center field wall and Cade McGee drove in two runs to give the Red Raiders a 5-4 lead into the fourth inning.
Through four innings of play, both teams combined for nine runs and 13 hits.
Red Raider avoids disaster
UTRGV’s Martin Vazquez loaded the bases with two walks and a hit, and had already hit a two-run home run, but with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, the bases were loaded.
Josh Saunders was brought out of the bullpen to end the threat. Sanders had Vasquez hit a soft dribbler to Kash at first base. After the ball wobbled slightly, Kash recovered and beat Martin to the bag to get the third out.
6th point, 3 runs to make a difference
After escaping a dangerous situation, Gage Harrelson drove in his first run since March 3, giving Tech the lead for good. The Red Raiders added one more point on an error and a sacrifice fly by Damien Bravo.
In the seventh inning, Tech threatened to break up the game with the bases loaded, but a wild pitch allowed them to score only one run.
What’s next?
The Red Raiders will host Big 12 No. 1 Oklahoma in their final home game of the season Friday through Sunday. Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday’s games are scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
