1. Red Raider of the Game
After a strange start for Davis Martin in which he gave up 9 hits, but only 1 run, junior Hayden Howard came in in the 7th. He pitched 3 perfect innings, not allowing any hits or walks. He struck out 4, and it only took him 40 pitches to get the 9 outs. In a close game, Tech needed a great pitching performance to get out of the game, and Hayden gave the team exactly what they needed.
2. Play That Impacted the Game
After the Aztecs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th, Stephen Smith came up to the plate with a runner on 2nd and 3rd. Smith singled in Garcia and Gutierrez, giving Tech a 2-1 lead that would never relinquish.
3. Stat of the Game
6. The Aztecs left 6 runners on base through the first 5 innings. They were able to get runners on base but had issues getting the runners to the plate. In past losses for tech, this has been a problem, and this time Tech turned the tables on their opponents, getting out of innings quickly before San Diego St could take the lead.
4. Forgotten Play of the Game
In the bottom f the 6th inning, Gute doubled to left field, his 54th of his career. This is good enough to tie him with Roger Kieschnick for 4th most doubles as a Red Raider. Josh Bard and Clint Bryant have the record for tech at 73 career doubles, which may be slightly out of reach for Gute.
5. Big Reason Tech Won the Game
The offense for the Red Raiders didn't put on a show as much as they have in recent games, but their infield defense was able to keep the Aztecs in check. 9 hits but only 1 run helped by 2 unconventional line drive double plays kept Tech in the game early and they were able to take the lead later in the game.
Game 2 of the series is set for 12:00pm tomorrow.
