Texas Tech’s 2024 baseball season didn’t go as expected, but the Red Raiders gave fans a chance to celebrate on at least one night during the Big 12 Tournament.
In the ninth inning, tied 4-4 against third-seeded Texas, third baseman Cade McGee hit a two-run homer that hit the left field foul pole, leading his Red Raider team to a 6-4 victory. The win ended Tech’s Big 12 losing streak at eight games and put coach Tim Tadlock’s team in the winner’s bracket, where it will play No. 2 seed Oklahoma State on Wednesday.
McGee went 2-4 that night with two RBIs and two runs scored. The Arizona native has hit home runs in his last three games and has 15 long balls for the season, a strong streak.
Home runs were key for the Red Raiders Tuesday night. Leading 1-0 in the top of the second inning, Tech hit a big fly ball from Drew Woodcox to decide the game.
Then, in the top of the 4th inning, trailing 4-1, Austin Green’s 3-run hit tied the game again. The game remained stalemate until the top of the 9th inning, when the Red Raiders benefited from McGee’s heroics.
There were also many Red Raiders on the mound. Kyle Robinson got off to a decent start, giving up four runs in 5.1 innings pitched. He led his team into the game by throwing 105 pitches with six strikeouts and four walks.
Texas Tech’s three relief pitchers, Brendan Lisik, Jacob Rodgers, and Josh Saunders, then worked together to pitch 3.2 scoreless innings of relief. Between them, they allowed only two hits. Sanders pitched the final two frames for the win and improved to 5-1 on the season.
Despite the win, the Red Raiders will likely still need to win the Big 12 Tournament to qualify for next week’s NCAA Tournament. Beating Oklahoma State on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. central time would raise hopes a lot, considering the Cowboys are 2-0 against Tech this year. It won’t be easy.
Still, beating Texas in the opener was a great way to start the week in Arlington, Texas. It’s something to feel good about for a team that has been through a rough patch, and maybe it’s the start of a Cinderella-like run for a team that could use a little magic this year.
