Long Ball Lifts No. 10 Tech Past Texas State

Friday, March 5

Houston, TX / Minute Maid Park

7 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

6-3

Texas State

4-7

Texas State

Texas Tech

Fulford Home Run celebration Minute Maid

Long Ball Lifts No. 10 Tech Past Texas State

March 06, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)Postgame Press Conference Highlights

Braxton Fulford goes deep twice to help Red Raiders in come-from-behind win.

By: Ty Parker, Texas Tech Athletics Communications

HOUSTON – Braxton Fulford hit a pair of two-run home runs, including the go-ahead shot in the seventh, to help No. 10 Texas Tech baseball open the Shriners Hospitals College Classic with an 8-4 victory over Texas State on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

Cody Masters also went yard with a three-run blast in the second inning for the Red Raiders (6-3), who have now won six consecutive games and improve to 6-4 all-time at the Shriners Hospitals College Classic.

Four of Tech's six hits on the evening went for extra bases, while the Tech bullpen held the Bobcats (4-7) to one run on two hits over the final 4.1 frames.

Freshman Hayde Key (1-0) picked up his first career win, closing the game with 3.0 shutout innings. He retired nine of the 10 he faced with five strikeouts. His only blemish was a leadoff double in the ninth with the Red Raiders holding a comfortable 8-4 lead.

The Tech pitching staff allowed just six hits on the evening. Starter Brandon Birdsell was in firm command through the first three frames with his only knock coming on a solo shot in the second inning that gave Texas State a 1-0 advantage. He would give up another knock in the fourth, this time a two-run shot that tied the game at 3-3.

Trailing 4-3 in the seventh, Tech began its rally as Nate Rombach drew one of his two walks on the day to set the table for Fulford, who got ahold of a 3-1 pitch and launched a no-doubter that moved Tech in front. The inning continued with Dru Baker, Jace Jung and Dylan Neuse all reaching safely to load the bases for Easton Murrell, who was plunked for an RBI that made it 6-4.

One inning later, Fulford connected again, this time on an 0-2 pitch that he lined into the seats in left to provide a pair of insurance runs that made it 8-4. The Lubbock native added a double in the second inning to finish 3-for-4 with four RBI and three runs. It was his second career multi-home run game as his stat line matched his career high in hits, RBI and runs scored

UP NEXT
The Red Raiders continue the Shriners Hospitals College Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday against Sam Houston State. The game will stream live on Astros.com, the MLB app under the Astros team page, and on the Astros' Facebook page. Fans can also tune in over the radio via the Texas Tech Sports Network.

The Red Raiders will trot out left-hander Patrick Monteverde (1-0, 0.00 ERA) against Sam Houston State lefty Matt Dillard (0-1, 18.69). Tickets can be found at Astros.com/CollegeClassic.