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LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech overcame sloppy defense and a six-run outburst by Central Arkansas by posting 14 unanswered runs to take a commanding 15-6 win over the Bears on Tuesday evening in the Red Raiders’ home opener at Dan Law Field.

The win moves Texas Tech to 4-5 on the season and is the 11^th-straight home opening win for the Red Raiders.  Central Arkansas drops to 5-3 with the loss.

The Red Raider defense fell apart in the opening at-bat of the game as a pair of throwing errors by third baseman Jason Seefeld and first baseman Doug Thennis allowed Payton Seelinger to reach and move all the way to third.  Another fielding error by the Red Raiders in the second inning helped propel the Bears to an early 4-0 lead.

Central Arkansas pushed its lead to 6-1 in the top of the second and chased away Tech starter Cory Large who ended up surrendering five earned runs on five hits along with two walks.

The Tech offense finally came to life in the bottom half of the third as the Red Raiders plated four runs to pull within one at 6-5.  Sophomore designated hitter Taylor Ashy delivered a two-RBI single while Chris Richburg and Juan Rodriguez each contributed an RBI in the frame.

After tying the game on a Roger Kieschnick single in the fourth, the Tech offense exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fifth to seize control of the game.  Senior Doug Thennis delivered the fatal blow in the inning as he blasted a three-run home run to left field that gave the Red Raiders a 12-6 lead.

Kieschnick knocked out his fourth home run of the season in the seventh with a towering shot to opposite field (right) that gave Tech a 13-6 advantage.

Paul Gonzalez (1-0) picked up his first win of the season in relief for the Red Raiders as he logged two shutout innings, allowing three hits, two walks and struckout two.  Michael Wild (1-2) was tagged with the loss for Central Arkansas as he gave up six runs on four hits over 1 1/3 innings.

Texas Tech and Central Arkansas will wrap-up this two-game midweek series tomorrow afternoon with right-handed pitcher Russ Fornea the scheduled starter for the Red Raiders.  First pitch at Dan Law Field is set for 1 p.m.

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Central Arkansas   132       000       000                               6      8      0

Texas Tech              014       160       12x                                15   19   3

WP = Paul Gonzalez (1-0)

LP = Michael Wild (1-2)

SV = None

GAME NOTES

·          Texas Tech has now won 11-straight home openers at Dan Law Field and improved to 24-8 all-time. 

·          Tonight’s game marked the first meeting between Texas Tech and Central Arkansas.  The Red Raiders now lead the series 1-0.

·          Junior Roger Kieschnick and senior Doug Thennis each hit home runs on the night to give them four and two respectively.  Kieschnick’s home run was the 26^th of his career.

·          Sophomore designated hitter Taylor Ashby extended his current hit streak to nine games and that ties his career high that he set last season.  Three other players also extended hit streaks: Roger Kieschnick (8), Joey Kenworthy (7) and Willie Rueda (5).

·          Texas Tech won its first game of the season when the opponent scored the first run.  Coming into tonight’s game, Tech was 0-4.

--ttu--