Tech Holds Off New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE,N.M. – Doug Thennis went 3-for-5 while Joey Kenworthy added three RBIs as Texas Tech held on for an 8-6 win over New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.

Texas Tech(8-6) stormed out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first innings as the Red Raiders tagged New Mexico starter Ryan Escarcega for four hits including a two-RBI double by Doug Thennis.  Chris Hall and Joey Kenworthy got the Red Raiders going as they led off the frame with a double and a single.

Tech’s four-run cushion didn’t last long as freshman left-hander Robbie Kilcrease, who was making his first career start, walked the first two batters of the game and Matt Hibbits delivered a big blow with a towering three-run homer to left field that pulled the Lobos within one at 4-3.

The Red Raiders added single runs in the second and third innings to build a 6-4 lead and got out of a big bases loaded jam in the bottom half of the fourth.

Senior first baseman and Clovis, N.M., native Jason Seefeld pushed the Tech lead back to three runs when he delivered a clutch two-out RBI single down the left field line.  Seefeld’s single scored designated hitter Willie Rueda who led off the inning with a double and then stole third.

A throwing error by Tech reliever Owen Brolsma in the bottom of the seventh eventually led to two unearned runs for New Mexico as the Lobos clawed back and pulled to within one run (7-6).  Brolsma fielded a soft chopper back to the mound and tried to throw out Matt Hibbitt who was advancing to second but his throw went sliding into the outfield to prolong the frame.  New Mexico plated a run on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout by Brian Cavazos-Galvez.

Texas Tech answered the Lobo scoring in the top half of the eighth as Willie Rueda scored on a sacrifice fly by Kenworthy.  Rueda led off the frame with his second walk of the game and moved to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Chris Hall and a passed ball by Lobo catcher Rafael Neda.

Sophomore right-hander Sam Janca (1-0) earned his first win of the season as he logged 2 2/3 innings in relief of starter Robbie Kilcrease.  Janca held the Lobos scoreless and scattered just two hits along with a walk and two stirkeouts.  Ryan Escarcega (1-2) was charged with the loss for New Mexico as he gave up five runs on four hits over 1 1/3 innings.  Zach Stewart held the Lobos scoreless over the final 2 1/3 innings to pick up his second save of the season.

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Texas Tech              411       001       010                               8      11   1

New Mexico             301       000       200                               6      8      0

WP = Janca (1-0)

LP = Escarcega (1-2)

SV = Stewart (2)

--ttu--