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RECAP: Texas Tech Beats New Mexico, 4-3

The Red Raiders move to 2-0 in the Lubbock regional after a comeback win against the Lobos

By Kyle Jacobson

BOX SCORE

Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
Texas Tech.......... 001 000 021 -  4  7  3
New Mexico.......... 002 100 000 -  3  5  2
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RED RAIDER OF THE GAME

Ryan Long. The 2nd baseman was called on to pinch hit with the bases loaded in the 8th inning, and boy did he deliver. He singled up the middle, tying the game at 3 when the Red Raiders were down to their final few outs with their backs up against the wall. If Long doesn’t come through in the clutch, Texas Tech baseball is fighting for its season tomorrow.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Long’s heroics would have been all for naught had Stephen "The Bull" Smith not smacked an opposite field solo homerun in the top of the 9th inning, giving Texas Tech a 4-3 lead. After the bomb, the Lubbock crowd was amped, and there was no looking back for the Red Raiders.

STAT OF THE GAME

11. New Mexico left 11 runners on base by the time the dust had settled. If the Lobos were able to punch in a few more runs, they would have won the game. While some may see this as a failure of New Mexico’s bats, it is also a testament to the Texas Tech defense.

FORGOTTEN PLAY OF THE GAME

Instead of a single play, a series of plays should be highlighted. Texas Tech pitcher Ryan Shetter took the mound in the 7th inning with a runner on first base and no outs. He retired the next three batters on a fly out, groundout, and strikeout, not allowing a baserunner to advance into scoring position. This wound up being a huge defensive stand for the Red Raiders.

BIG REASON WHY TEXAS TECH WON

The bullpen. Texas Tech was fortunate yesterday to not need their bullpen too much. That allowed for a platoon of four relief pitchers tonight, all of whom pitched admirably. Bullpen depth is a big deal in tournaments like this, and Texas Tech proved it against New Mexico. Tech will fight to clinch a spot in the super regional against the winner of New Mexico vs. Dallas Baptist tomorrow.

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