3/27 Baseball recap

The Red Raiders have another five games and another five wins under their belts after two consecutive series sweeps over UNLV at home and Wichita State on the road. Tech was ranked #3 last week by D1 Baseball and could move up #2 as previously undefeated Louisville dropped their first two games of the season.

Since that less than stellar game in Arlington against UTA, Texas Tech is 8-0 outscoring opponents 39-20 in that time. That’s pretty good.

John Henry Gonzalez started Tech’s Tuesday game last week, limiting the Rebels to 1 run in 6 innings. Leading the way offensively was Ryan Long who went 2-3 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Tech took an early lead in the game and would hold on for the 5-2 win.

Wednesday’s game was a little less tame than the Tuesday match up. UNLV jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the third inning. Tech would get 2 back in the fourth on an error and a Connor Beck RBI single. Michael Berglund pinch hit an RBI double in the 7th to tie the game at 3-3.

That score would hold until the top of the 10th when UNLV scored a run off of Jose Quezada. Tech would answer back with two in the bottom of the inning to walk it off with a walk off walk by Michael Davis.

In the opener against Wichita State, Texas Tech dealt some damage. Tanner Gardner and Michael Berglund drove in 3 runs in the first inning on singles. After another RBI single from Berglund in the third it was 4-0 Tech.

During the fifth inning the Red Raiders piled on 6 more runs giving them a 10-0 lead they would not relinquish as they went on to win 10-5. Michael Berglund went 3-4 with 4 RBI in that game.

Texas Tech took the second game behind Hunter Hargrove’s multiple extra-base hits and Steven Gingery’s 6 shutout innings. Also, John McMillon took DH duties and hit his second homer of the season.

Tech’s final game was won on the strength of their bullpen. Ryan Shetter allowed only 1 run in his 4.2 innings, but his 4 walks made the Tadlock pull him after 74 pitches. Jacob Patterson pitched the next 2.1 innings and allowed only 1 hit and 1 walk. Caleb Kilian closed down the last 2 innings without putting a runner on base, earning his first save of the season.

Pitcher of the week: Parker Mushinski 2 appearances 4 innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 4 Ks, 1 save.

I’ve been more critical of Mushinski in the past than I should have, mostly just for letting inherited runners score. This week he made me shut my mouth and produced 2 much needed excellent outings in big spots.

On the season the junior has a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings with 19 strikeouts and only 1 extra base hit allowed.

Hitter of the week: Michael Berglund 6-16, 1 double, 5 RBI, 1 runners caught stealing.

If you listen to the Air Raid Baseball Podcast, which you definitely should, you’ll hear me talk about my love for good hitting catchers. Michael Berglund is my latest interest.

Starting in that game in Arlington, Berglund had a 7 game hit streak during which he went 11-24 raising his average from .243 to .308 (now .294). Having a solid offensive catcher is meh if he isn’t solid defensively. Berglund is a freshman who looks relatively polished behind the dish and can hit for a solid average. That’s the dream.

Every weekend from here on out is conference play. Tech is hot offensively and has a consistent pitching staff. If this continues there’s no reason to think the Red Raiders can take their 3rd Big 12 title in 4 years.