Tech drops series, one-run heartbreaker, to UC Irvine

Sunday, February 23

Lubbock, Texas

12:30 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

1-5

UC Irvine

4-3

UC Irvine

Texas Tech

Tech drops series, one-run heartbreaker, to UC Irvine

February 23, 2025 | Baseball

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Despite a five RBI game from Logan Hughes, the Red Raiders fell Sunday

By: Andrew Stern

LUBBOCK, Texas – Despite a five RBI game and an outfield assist from Logan Hughes and another two-run home run from TJ Pompey, Texas Tech Baseball dropped an 11-10 heartbreaker Sunday afternoon at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

Looking for back-to-back wins after yesterday's 15-12 win, Texas Tech (1-5) got off to a good start on Sunday as Hughes and catcher Dylan Maxcey went back-to-back in the first inning to put the Red Raiders on top 3-0 early. The Hughes home run was 106 MPH off the bat and traveled 411 feet while Maxcey's blast was 98 off the bat and traveled 356 feet.

Down 3-0, UC Irvine (4-3) responded in its half of the second, as the Anteaters used a two-run home and an RBI single to even the game at three all.

The single nearly gave UCI lead but a perfect throw from Hughes to Pompey cut down an Anteater runner at third base before the fourth run of the frame could score.

The game remained 3-3 until the third when another two run home run gave UCI a 5-3 lead. The home run and walk chased starter Jack Cebert from the game, as the righty went two-plus innings on Sunday allowing five runs (four earned) and four hits. He walked three and struck out two.

After a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out, Tech turned to reliever Johnny Lowe, who in his Red Raider debut stranded all three runners on a 3-2 strikeout and a ground out to keep the game 5-3.

In the fourth, UC Irvine again used the long ball to increase its lead, as Chase Call plated Colin Yeaman who reached to start the inning on a Red Raider error.

The longball gave UCI an 8-4 lead heading to the home half of the fourth.

A lead-off single from Tracer Lopez set the stage for Pompey in the bottom of the fourth, as the infielder ahead in the count 2-1 lifted his fourth home run of the season down the right field line. The blast brought Tech to within 8-6.

Down 9-6 after another solo home run from UCI, the Red Raiders struck for another crooked number in the bottom of the sixth when a lead-off walk to Pompey and a two-out hit-by-pitch placed runners on first and second for outfielder Damian Bravo. Continuing his strong start to 2025, Bravo singled up the middle to score Pompey and bring the Red Raiders to within 8-6.

Following a walk that loaded the bases, the next Tech batter, Hughes split the outfielders in right-center at 111 MPH for a bases-clearing double that gave Tech a 9-8 lead. The extra base hit was the third of the weekend for Hughes who closed the weekend 4-for-12 with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs.

In the top of the seventh, UC Irvine immediately threatened, using back-to-back walks and a hit batter to load the bases with one man out.

With the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, Tech turned junior righty Daniel Bass for his first career appearance as a Red Raider.

Looking to keep his side in front, Bass won a seven-pitch battle on a strikeout, before Call dunked a two-out single into left-center that gave the Anteaters the lead once again at 10-9. UC Irvine ultimately added its third run of the inning and final of the afternoon on an error.

Down by a pair once again, the Red Raiders used a lead-off walk by Lopez and clutch two-out eight-pitch pinch hit walk by Peyton Schulze to place the tying runs on base for Kyeler Thompson. Ahead in the count 3-1, Thompson ripped a single to right that plated Lopez and advanced Shulze to third.

After another Thompson stolen base placed the go-ahead run in scoring position, the Red Raiders loaded the bases once again when Bravo was plunked UCIs Max Martin on a 2-0 pitch.

The next Red Raider batter, first baseman Robin Villeneuve, got ahead in the count 1-0, before striking out on four pitches.

Down by just one run again, the Red Raiders got a scoreless eighth from Freshman Connor Mohan, to get to bottom half of the eighth within a run.

In that decisive bottom half of the eighth, all three Red Raider batters hit the ball on the screws, but three strong defensive plays retired the side in order.

Following a scoreless 1-2-3 inning from Mohan kept the game 11-10, the Red Raiders placed the tying run on base when Kendyl Johnson worked a one-out walk, before a 5-4-3 double play ended the inning and the game.

UP NEXT:
The Red Raiders once again hit the road next weekend when they head to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas College Baseball Classic hosted by Peak Events and the Las Vegas Aviators.

In the four-team event, Tech will face Illinois (Friday), Texas (Saturday) and Washington (Sunday). First pitch for Friday's matchup against Illinois is set for 4 p.m. (CT)/2 p.m. (PT).