Texas Tech is back in action for a mid-week series against Oral Roberts. We’ve got a short preview, probable starters for the series and how to follow along.
Oral Roberts vs. Texas Tech 
Dates: Tuesday, March 17th – Wednesday, March 18th
Good Guys: Texas Tech Red Raiders (14-5, 0-0)
Bad Guys: Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (9-8, 1-2)
Location: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park | Lubbock, TX
TV/Stream: N/A
Radio/Stream: Broadcast Affiliates and TuneIn App
Probable Starters:
Outfield: LF: Tyler Neslony| CF: Hunter Hargrove or Zach Davis or Stephen Smith | RF: Stephen Smith or Tanner Gardner
Infield: 3B: Michael Davis or Orlando Garcia or Ryan Long | SS: Tim Proudfoot | 2B: Cory Raley or Bryant Burleson | 1B Eric Gutierrez | C: Tyler Floyd or Bryant Burleson | DH: William Hairston or Quinn Carpenter or Tanner Gardner
Game 1: Tuesday, March 17th @ 6:30 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: LHP Ty Damron (2-0, 2.66)
Oral Roberts Starting Pitcher: LHP Tyler Buss (0-0, 7.94)
Final Score & Box Score: Oral Roberts 9, Texas Tech 7 (recap and box score)
Texas Tech had Oral Roberts down 6-0, but Oral Roberts came roaring back, scoring 7 runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but as Texas Tech is known to do, comes back to tie the game at 7 with both teams headed to extra innings. Oral Roberts scored 2 runs in the 11th and Texas Tech couldn’t answer. The fact that Texas Tech couldn’t answer may be the first time this season, where Texas Tech went to extra innings and didn’t end up winning that game. Been living on the edge quite a bit. Dominic Moreno takes the loss and he pitched the final three frames, allowing 2 hits, 2 runs, only 1 earned, striking out 6 and walking none. Ty Damron got the start and gave up 10, yes 10 hits, allowing 3 runs, while Parker Mushinski was really rough in relief, giving up 4 runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Damron is a sophomore and Mushinski is a freshman.
It is nice to see the bats going again, which is good, as Eric Gutierrez notched his 2nd home run of the season and had 4 RBI, while Cory Raley had 3 hits at the top of the lineup, Stephen Smith was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and Tyler Neslony was 2 for 4.
Game 2: Wednesday, March 18th @ 2:00 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: RHP Johnathon Tripp (1-0, 2.70)
Oral Roberts Starting Pitcher: RHP Bryce Howe (0-0, 0.00)
Final Score & Box Score: Texas Tech 7, Oral Roberts 4 (recap box score)
A nice comeback win for Texas Tech, beating Oral Roberts 7-4, behind a strong pitching performance from the bullpen as no pitcher pitched more than 3 innings for the game. Matt Withrow started the game, giving up a run and 3 hits. Jacob Patterson got the win, pitching 3 innings, giving up 3 hits, 2 walks and 1 strikeout. Parker Mushinski, Matt Custred and Johnathon Tripp all pitched to end the game with Tripp giving up a 3 run homer to end the game essentially.
Cory Raley continues to rake, going 3 for 5 and scoring 3 runs. Stephen Smith went 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Tyler Neslony went 1 for 4 for 2 RBI. Also should note that Michael Davis went 3 for 4 at teh bottom of the lineup.
The official site has their game notes for your viewing pleasure. Also, thanks to Twitter person William Coble for the cover photo (which I cropped and did a fancy tiltshift for effect). If you like following along on your phone the follow Scott Lacefield on Twitter and TechAthletics.