Texas Tech University Athletics
Live Gameday Blog From Dan Law Field
February 20, 2009 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2009
Follow today's live game blog from Dan Law Field as the Red Raiders host Southern Utah and UT-Pan American.
10:16 a.m.
Well folks its finally here. One of my favorite days of the year (if not my favorite) - Opening Day! The Dan Spencer era will finally get underway today and there is a lot of excitement floating around the ballpark. We have clear blue skies and a pretty good breeze blowing right now (go figure). The weather conditions look good for the remainder of the day so it should be perfect for some baseball.
If you are thinking about coming out to Dan Law Field - stop thinking and start making plans. This team needs your support. More from the Dan Law Field press box as we get closer to a 1 p.m. first pitch against Southern Utah.
11:13 a.m.
Just a note on the second game today against UT-Pan American. Coach Spencer just informed me that Robbie Kilcrease (LHP) will get the start in place of Nate Karns who seems to be a "little nicked up."
11:38 a.m.
Texas Tech's staring lineup (in batting order):
Willie Rueda, 2B
Michael Reed, LF
Joey Kenworthy, SS
Chris Richburg, 1B
Kevin Whitehead, DH
Taylor Ashby, RF
Mason Macnoll, CF
Jeremy Mayo, C
Justin Berry, 3B
Chad Bettis, RHP
- The three freshman (Whitehead, Macnoll and Berry) in the lineup today mark the first time since the 2006 season that Tech has started three true freshmen on opening day. In 2006, Roger Kieschnick, Willie Rueda and Drew Evans were in the starting line up on opening day against Louisiana-Monroe as true freshmen.
12:40
We are just minutes away from first pitch. The crowd is starting to arrive and not bad for a 1 p.m. game on a Friday afternoon. Probably the biggest thing that folks attending the game will notice is the new sound system at Dan Law Field. And boy was it needed! Texas Tech received a generous gift from Len Hatfield in Midland for over $50,000 for the new system and it is truly outstanding.
1:01 p.m.
The 2009 season is underway with Chad Bettis on the mound. Weather Conditions: Sunny skies and 60 degrees. Winds from the SW at 20 mph.
1:02 p.m.
The first play of the 2009 season was a strikeout swinging of Thunderbird leadoff hitter Matt Sanford by Chad Bettis. Bettis then gave up back-to-back doubles down the right field line to the put Red Raiders behind 1-0. Bettis retired Aona and Wilson to end the inning.
1:14 p.m.
Freshman Kevin Whithead just got his first career hit and it was a big one. He laced a two-RBI double to the gap in left center field to give Tech a 2-1 lead. Taylor Ashby then followed with an RBI single to score Richburg from third and Tech now leads 3-1.
1:21
We just learned a few minutes ago that the Red Raiders are officially the first Big 12 team to hit the diamond in 2009 as Tech had an official first pitch of 1:01. The Kansas Jayhawks and the Air Force Falcons got underway at 1:05 p.m.
1:38 p.m.
Texas Tech has taken a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Southern Utah has gone to its bullpen for RHP Braden Yardley. Chris Richburg's RBI single to center field was the final straw for starter Kyle Hamman.
1:47 p.m.
Tech scores two more and leads 8-1 after two innings.
2:06 p.m.
Both teams go quietly in their last two at-bats as we move into the bottom of the fourth. Tech leading 8-1. It's good to hear the Tech Hecklers in action again ... they just did the "step routine" on Thunderbird first baseman Bucky Aona and it worked - he flew out to left field. Word to my boy Chris Snead and the rest of the Hecklers.
2:07 p.m.
Chris Richburg just blasted the first home run of the season ... an absolute shot over the left field wall. Tip of the hat to Richburg. FYI - players in the dugout are no longer allowed to come out and greet a player after a home run. Thats a new NCAA rule and one that I am not too thrilled about. Let the players enjoy the game is what I say.
And now "Sweet Caroline" is playing in the stadium. Gotta love baseball.
2:33 p.m.
Tech leads 10-1 after five complete innings. Not a bad start to 2009.
2:49 p.m.
Today's attendance is 1,866. Kellen Monreal has now entered the game in right field and Taylor Ashby has moved to center.
3:13 p.m.
The Red Raiders lead 12-2 after seven innings. Chad Bettis was replaced with two outs in the top of the seventh and is line for the win. Bettis went 6 2/3 innings allowing eight hits, two runs (both earned), one walk and struckout five ... logged 86 pitches. Jordan Stern is on the bump for the Red Raiders.
3:20 p.m.
The Kansas Jayhawks are off to a good start as they lead Air Force 5-0 in the bottom of the eighth. Tech leads SUU 12-3 in the bottom of the eighth. SUU first baseman Bucky Aona hit his second home run of the game in the top half of the eighth.
3:39
Final Score: Texas Tech 14; Southern Utah 3. The Red Raiders give Dan Spencer his first career win! The second game against UT-Pan American will start in 40 minutes.
4:09 p.m.
First pitch is set for 4:20 p.m. against UT-Pan American. The only change to the lineup is Kellen Monreal will play in place of Mason Macnoll. The order has changed just a bit ... Robbie Kilcrease will get the start. More in a few. Wreck 'Em!
4:36 p.m.
Game two against UTPA is underway and we are scoreless in the bottom of the first inning. The Red Raiders have made a slight uniform change for this second game. They are still wearing their white pinstripe uniforms but have changed out their black shoes and hats for red ones.
4:55 p.m.
Tech now has a 1-0 lead going into the top of the third inning thanks to Kellen Monreal who belted a triple to the gap in right-center field that scored Kevin Whitehead all the way from first. The run almost didn't happen as UTPA center fielder Billy Donaho made a diving attempt at the ball but just couldn't hold on to it.
5:27 p.m.
The Red Raiders trail 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth but it could have easily been 3-1 if not for a stellar play by Taylor Ashby. UTPA's Nick Spears laced a single into center that scored a Jordan Rutenbar and Bonham Hough attempted to score from second on the play. However, Ashby fired a bullet home and Whitehead was able to get the tag for the out. Great play for Mr. Ashby.
Tech now has runners at first and second with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth. Let's get a rally going!
5:37 p.m.
Jeremy Mayo answers the bell and clears the bases with a double to the scoreboard in right center. Tech now leads 4-2 with Mayo at second and just one out.
5:50 p.m.
Freshman Justin Berry didn't leave Mayo stranded as he drove him home with a single to push the Tech lead to 5-2. Tech had runners at second and third but the Broncos went to their bullpen for Shane Janecka and he was able to retire Taylor Ashby to end the inning.
6:06 p.m.
Taylor Ashby seemed to be suffering a cramp in his right leg and was replaced defensively by Mason Macnoll in the top of the fifth inning. The Red Raiders lead 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth.
6:44 p.m.
UTPA has a little something brewing here as they now have the tying run on second base with just one out ... Louis Head came into pitch for Robbie Kilcrease in the sixth inning ... TONIGHT'S ATTENDANCE: 2,025.
6:50 p.m.
The Broncos were able to score both runners and the game is now tied at 5-5 ... Tech has gone to its bullpen for RHP and closer Brian Cloud. UTPA has runners at first and second with two outs. 6:54 p.m.
Cloud strikeouts Garcia and we move to the bottom of the seventh tied at 5.
7:19 p.m.
TECH TAKES A 6-5 LEAD!! Thanks to a nice at-bat by Kellen Monreal ... Monreal split the shortstop and third baseman with a line drive and that scored Logan Brown who pinch hit for Mason Macnoll in the inning ... we go to the top of the eighth with Brian Cloud still on the mound for the Red Raiders ... its turning cooler.
7:42 p.m.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders moved to 2-0 on the season after beating UT-Pan America 6-5. Brian Cloud gets the win after pitching a perfect two and a third innings striking out four along the way. The Red Raiders return to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. versus Southern Utah.
