There are few greater pleasures in
Lubbock than catching a college baseball game, especially if it’s in February
and perfect outside. Fans of the national pastime were greeted by clear skies
and a warm 70 degree day on the South Plains, worthy of an afternoon to skip
class, work, or both. Unfortunately, The University of New Mexico Lobos ruined
the perfection for by hitting 6 home runs in route to a 15-13 victory over Texas Tech at Dan Law Field. As they say in Albuquerque, it’s time to howl.
Red Raider
pitcher Josh Scofield fell behind from the start, when Lobo Matt Foote
crushed a pitch to left field for a homerun, beginning the hit parade. The two
teams combined for 30 hits, with 10 being homeruns aided by winds blowing out to
left center. UNM, playing in its season opener, scored against 6 different Tech
pitchers. The Lobos used 6 pitchers also, but were able to outlast Tech with
timely double plays and scoring runs in 7 of 9 innings.
After falling behind 7-4, Red
Raider SS Kyle Martin got a leadoff double to start the 5th
inning. C Matt Smith hit one over center field to bring the Raiders
within one. Two batters later, CF Taylor Ashby homered to tie. Finally,
2BChris Hall looked at one pitch, and then sent the next over the fence.
Three homeruns, Tech leads! Would it be enough?
It was never enough, as the Lobos
struck back and finished off their scoring with 8 runs in the next 3 innings. In
defiance, Tech added 4 runs in the 8th inning that cut the UNM lead.
Coach Larry Hays brought in senior pitcher Aaron Odom, the 7th
Tech hurler, and he responded by shutting the Lobos down with two strikeouts and
a pop fly out to end their 9th.
In the bottom of the 9th,
LF Doug Thennis led off with a single. Tech looked like it was about to
seize a tie after a double from 3B Joey Kenworthy put runners at 1st
and 3rd with nobody out. But Tech could only manage a one run in the
inning and fell short in the rally by 2.
Kudos from the cheap seats:
Whoever did the music programming has twisted taste, I like that.
Roger Kieschnick has got an
arm! The sophomore all-Big 12 player from Rockwall, TX held Lobo runners from
extra bases twice. He also went 2 for 5 and had a homerun. Impressive player!
Right field looks good this season.
The grounds keeping crew can’t do
too much right now, especially after the last two “blizzards”, but all looks
good at the Law.
Choke up on this!
When are we going to get the Wind
research department to fix it so it blows in while the opposition is at
bat? Forget that tornado structure analysis testing, we need victories!
The trip to negative town:
Let’s not go there yet. Let’s not discuss the record, which is 1-2. Oh and
please, please, please show up and get behind this team. It is worth it.
On Deck:
The Northwestern Wildcats come to
town for the Red Raider Classic. It will be the visitors from Evanston, Ill
first game of the 2007 season. They finished last season with a 26-33 record
with 21 wins in Big 10 Conference play. First pitch is at 3pm.
Final out
This is my first gig writing about
something I truly love, Texas Tech baseball. I cannot say I’m a college baseball
“know it all” or expert, but I can say I am a fan. It is my hope I can keep the
fun in being a fan, while at the same time give you an inside look into the
Texas Tech baseball program. It might be rough at first like this season has
started, but like an Insight bowl comeback; I know it will get better. If you
have any ideas, questions, or comments please email me at
keeplubbockflat@suddenlink.net
Stay flat Lubbock,
Kingfish