Red Raider Hardball | 2014 Houston College Classic

2014 Houston College Classic : Texas Tech (8-1, 0-0), Houston (7-0, 0-0), Rice (6-3, 0-0), Sam Houston St. (8-1, 0-0), Texas (6-3, 0-00
Official Site Notes: via Texas Tech (PDF).
Location: Minute Maid Park | Houston, TX
Radio: Affiliates

New Photo: Much thanks to MikeTTU's friend Anthony Granadino for the photo. He has two more terrific photographs that I can't wait to use. If you'd like to submit a photograph for us to use, feel free to email me at doubletnation AT gmail DOT com.

Texas Tech 5, SFA 4: I didn't have time to put up an open thread for yesterday's game with the SFA Lumberjacks, but the Red Raiders played a game prior to this weekend's trio of games at the Houston College Classic. Texas Tech came back in the 9th inning, thanks to an Eric Guitierrez two run double (via Texas Tech and the LAJ).

Classic Preview: Make sure and check out the notes above from the official site. Also, the good folks at the DT have a preview of Texas Tech's weekend in Houston (via DT).

Neslony Out Indefinitely: I can't recall if I've already mentioned this, but CF Tyler Nelsony is out indefinitely as he hurt his right hand (Texas Tech has not commented as to the exact nature of the injury) (via LAJ).

Bell No Longer On Team: Brett Bell, who was on the team last year and played pretty good, was not on the opening day roster and now we know why, as he was arrested on three drug related charges (via LAJ).

OUTFIELD: LF: Anthony Lyons | CF: Devon Conley | RF: Adam Kirsch
INFIELD: 3B: Jake Barrios | SS: Ryan Long | 2B: Bryant Burleson | 1B Eric Gutierrez | C: Mason Randolph | DH: Jarrard Poteete

Game 1: Friday, February 28th @ 12:05 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: RHP Dominic Moreno (0-1, 1.59)
Houston Starting Pitcher: RHP Aaron Garza (2-0, 0.68)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas Tech 0, Houston 9 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

This game was actually close through 6 innings, but Houston opened up a can in the 7th inning, scoring 8 runs and pretty much unloaded on relief pitchers Dalton Brown and Matt Custred. Brown allowed 4 runs, all earned, in just 1.2 innings of work, walking 2 and striking out 2. Custred didn't record an out and allowed 3 more runs, all earned, walked 2 and struck out none. The offense wasn't any sort of help, scattering only 6 hits for the day and not producing much in terms of any offensive threat.

Game 2: Saturday, March 1st @ 12:05 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: RHP Matt Withrow (1-0, 0.90)
Sam Houston St. Starting Pitcher: LHP Andrew Godail (2-0, 1.69)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas Tech 6, Sam Houston St. 10 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

Dang it. Another tough pitching performance, as starter Matt Withrow couldn't get out of the third inning, going 2.2 frames, allowing 5 hits, 6 runs, all earned, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. The bullpen wasn't that much better, as Cameron Smith allowed 2 runs in 3.1 innings of work and Nick Pettus allowed 2 more runs in an inning. The offense and the pitching haven't gotten on the same page. SS Ryan Long continues his hot-hitting ways as he goes 2 for 3 with an RBI and 2 walks, and 3B Jake Barrios goes 2-4.

Game 3: Sunday, March 2nd @ 1:35 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: LHP Chris Sadberry (1-0, 3.24)
Rice Starting Pitcher: RHP Kevin McCanna (1-1, 5.91)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas Tech 2, Rice 1 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

The offense still struggled to do much of anything, but son of a gun, at least Texas Tech got a win.  Sadberry pitched a gem of a game, going 7 innings and allowing 1 run on 5 hits, walking none and striking out 2.  The offense managed two runs based on the Rice pitcher walking in some runs in the third inning.  I'll take it.  Congrats to Sadberry and Ryan Long for being named to the All-Tournament Team (via Texas Tech).