Red Raider Hardball | Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

This is a significant series for Texas Tech, hosting the Longhorns and what appears to be an incredibly talented pitching staff. This should be a fun weekend. Please note that two of the games will be on the television.

This is a huge series for the Red Raiders and head coach Tim Tadlock understands that he needs to keep his team grounded and take just one pitch at a time (via LAJ):

"Really, there is an emphasis on getting better here in about an hour," head coach Tim Tadlock said before Thursday’s practice. "We’ll be excited with Friday and deal with it as it comes. Then we’ll deal with Saturday. One of the things that’s clear to these guys is it’s not possible to play three games in one day, it’s not possible to play two pitches at a time. We’re best when we deal with it one at a time and were learning that a little bit each day as we go."

OUTFIELD: LF: Alec Humphreys | CF: Stephen Smith | RF: Adam Kirsch
INFIELD: 3B: Jake Barrios | SS: Ryan Long | 2B: Bryant Burleson | 1B Eric Gutierrez | C: Hunter Redman | DH: Matt Broadbent

Game 1: Friday, March 28th @ 6:30 pm on Fox College Sports
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: RHP Dominic Moreno (1-4, 2.81)
Texas Starting Pitcher: LHP RHP Parker French (3-2, 1.62)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas 11, Texas Tech 1 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

This is the second straight game that Dominic Moreno has had a second straight outing rough, only lasting 4 innings, giving up 3 runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. The bullpen didn't help him at all and I think that head coach Tim Tadlock wasn't going to waste the top end bullpen guys and they collectively gave up 8 runs in just 3 innings of relief. It might be high time to consider another option at the Friday night starter as Texas Tech really can't afford to lose the Friday night match-up in such convincing fashion. May need to consider guys like Matt Withrow, Dylan Dusek, Jonny Drozd and Corey Taylor on Friday night. Texas Tech just needs to have a fighting chance on Friday night.

As an aside, Drozd didn't get the start last Saturday, but did the heavy lifting. The starter on Saturday was Cameron Smith and he only lasted 3 innings, but Drozd pitched the final 6 frames.

The offense only managed 6 hits off of Texas starter Parker French, who was really terrific. Hunter Redman had the only multi-hit game, going 2-3 on the day, but the lineup generally didn't do all that much with Eric Gutierrez, Tyler Neslony, Adam Kirsch, Stephen Smith and Tim Proudfoot all collecting a hit, but that's about it.

Game 2: Saturday, March 22nd @ 2:00 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: TBD
Texas Starting Pitcher: LHP Dillon Peters (3-1, 1.79)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas 4, Texas Tech 8 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

This is the second week that Cameron Smith has received the start, but was quickly replaced by Jonny Drozd, and then Drozd goes on to pitch a heck of an effort out of the bullpen, going 7 innings, giving up 11 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. Drozd pitched for strikes, 66% of his pitches. Corey Taylor pitched the final frame giving up 1 run. Drozd had help from the offense that only managed 6 hits yesterday. Today, the offense had 11 hits and 8 runs. The offense was led by Bryant Burleson and Eric Gutierrez, who each had two hits, but everyone on the offensive side of the ball got involved pretty much as every starter registered a hit. Burleson, Jake Barrios, Hunter Redman and Tim Proudfoot all earned an RBI.

Game 3: Sunday, March 23rd @ 2:00 pm on Fox Sports Southwest
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: LHP Chris Sadberry (3-1, 2.35)
Texas Starting Pitcher: RHP Nathan Thornhill (4-0, 1.10)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas 5, Texas Tech 2 - Recap - Box Score - LAJ

Chris Sadberry pitched a terrific 5.1 innings giving up only 2 runs, scattering 8 hits, with Ryan Moseley picking things up in relief, going 4.1 innings and giving up no runs and only giving up 3 hits for the day. It was a fantastic finish to the initial 9 frames as Zach Davis stole home with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game and force extra innings. But it wasn't enough as the offense could never get on track for most of the game.

It wouldn't surprise to see a move on Friday night and I'd pay attention as to who starts on Tuesday against New Mexico. Texas Tech really hasn't had a fighting chance on Friday night, getting blown out two weekends in a row.