Following another disappointing Big 12 series with a 2-1 loss to UCF in Orlando, the Texas Tech baseball team has a make-or-break moment in the 2024 season with a two-game home set against Stanford. . Fortunately, Tim Tadlock's team was able to pull off a sweep against the Cardinal and look to get back on the winning track.
On Friday, the Red Raiders won a walk-off 10-9 in the 11th inning. However, the victory required heroic performances in the final stages of the batting lineup.
After leading 7-5 after the seventh inning, Tech's bullpen has struggled again this season, giving up two runs in the eighth inning and surrendering the lead. Then, an error in the top of the 9th inning put the Cardinal up 9-7, and it looked like Tech would suffer another disappointing loss at home.
Fortunately, that's when catcher Kevin Buzzell hit a two-run homer to seal the game at nine. Then, in the 10th inning, both bullpens pitched a shutout inning.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, after the Cardinal failed to score first in the frame, Tech loaded the bases with three consecutive infield hits. Austin Green then hit a looping single over the infield, clinching a walk-off victory.
Tuesday afternoon was very different, but the tension was about the same. Fortunately, it all went the home team's way.
Through the first four innings, Tech built a 12-0 lead. In the end, the Red Raiders took a 15-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
However, Stanford will once again utilize the Red Raider bullpen. It was too close for comfort for the Cardinal, who scored nine points in the final four innings of the game. In fact, the Cardinal tied it in the final frame, but Isiah Rhodes struck out and ended the visitors' threat.
There's no question Tech needed those two wins. Now, it must be noted that Stanford is not a good team. Yes, they have name recognition, but most of Tech's non-conference home opponents don't have it this year. However, they only have 11 wins and 15 losses this season.
That's the point though. Giving up those two home games against winnable opponents would have been a huge loss for a Tech team that appears to be on the precipice this year.
Now the Red Raiders must find a way to start winning the Big 12 series. It starts this weekend at home against Houston.
The Cougars aren't a great team either. With an overall record of just 15-12 and a 4-8 record in the Big 12, they trail the Red Raiders in the league standings.
However, Tech has recently lost series to poor or mediocre teams like UCF and Baylor, even though they narrowly won the series against BYU. Tech will soon face good teams like TCU and Arkansas, all five of which will be on the road, and wins over the Frogs and Hogs will be essential if this team wants to make the NCAA Tournament. .
We hope that the two wins against the Cardinal will be the moment that shakes up the momentum of this season. After all, if the ball had bounced differently in each game, they could have been a killer for a team that has struggled with consistency and confidence for most of the season.
