Fast Start Propels Tech to 15-12 Sweep-Clinching Win over Stanford

LUBBOCK, Texas – An early nine-run third inning and nearly five strong innings from sophomore Zach Erdman propelled Texas Tech Baseball to a 15-12, sweep-clinching victory over Stanford Tuesday afternoon at Rip Griffin Park at Dan Law Field.

With the victory, Texas Tech (21-9) ran its overall win streak to three and its home winning streak to five.

Taking the ball for his second straight midweek start, Erdman shined on Tuesday, as the lefty took a shutout into the fifth despite heavy winds.

And while his performance on the mound was certainly strong, the left-hander had plenty of run support as Tech used a two-run bases loaded single from Owen Washburn to take an immediate 2-0 lead. Washburn went 3-for-5 in the win, finishing just a home run shy of the cycle.

Armed with the lead, Erdman retired the Stanford (11-15) side in order in both the second and third, setting the stage for the Red Raiders to hang a crooked number in the third.

After a single from Damian Bravo and a walk by Kevin Bazzell placed a pair on base, Austin Green quickly gave Tech a 5-0 lead when he lifted a three-run home run to right.

Stanford’s Joey Volchko recorded the first out of the inning on a ground out, but a double from Washburn and a two-run bomb from catcher Dylan Maxcey gave the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead. Entering the game having allowed just six earned runs in 14.1 innings, the Red Raiders tagged the freshman for nine runs and seven hits.

Volchko’s day was quickly over, as back-to-back walks prompted a pitching change from the visiting Cardinal.

A third straight walk by Landon Stripling loaded the bases with one out, allowing Tech to go ahead 9-0 on a fourth straight walk and a hit batter.

Following the second pitching change of the inning, Tech added two more on a sac-fly from Green and a two-out RBI single from Woodcox to take an 11-0 lead.

After Tech added its 12th run of the afternoon on a Stripling RBI ground out, Stanford used a two-RBI triple from Trevor Haskins and an RBI double from Owen Cobb to chase Erdman with two outs in the fifth. Haskins went 4-for-5 on Tuesday hitting for the cycle.

Turning to Hudson Luce with a runner in scoring position, the lefty ended the Stanford rally on a pop-up to shortstop. Luce recorded two outs on Tuesday to earn his first career victory.

Tech immediately responded in their turn in the fifth, using a two-run home run by Drew Woodcox, a triple by Washburn and an RBI ground out from Maxcey to go in front 15-3.

Like any good team, the Cardinal didn’t go away, exploding for eight runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull to within 15-11.

In the ninth, Haskins lifted a solo home run to right-center to complete the cycle, but righty Isaiah Rhodes was able to strand two runners in scoring position to secure Tech’s 21st overall victory.

HC TIM TADLOCK:
“Baseball is a game that kind of demands you respect everything about it. Playing good opponents like Stanford will teach you, and even help with some of those lessons. I thought the guys did a good job of handling everything the last couple of days. It’s not always going to be perfect, but it seems like the effort is there, for the guys to play at a high level.”

On Erdman…
“I thought he threw the ball good. It’s been good to run him out there as a starter the last couple of weeks and I’m really glad he’s getting the opportunity to do that. He’s a talented kid. He has good secondary stuff and is fun to watch.”

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders welcome new Big 12 foe Houston for a weekend series beginning on Friday night. First pitch for game one is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT)

–TECH–

Release Provided By Andrew Stern Texas Tech Athletics