Brendan Girton tosses five innings, aids Texas Tech to 11-3 series-opening win over Western Illinois
Brendan Girton, in his first start since 2021, showed he has the moxie to pitch on Friday.
The right-handed hurler allowed three earned runs, struck out three, walked two and scattered six hits in five innings to help Texas Tech down Western Illinois 11-3 in the series opener between the squads at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
The Red Raiders (5-0) continue to be the only Big 12 squad with an undefeated record by downing the Fighting Leathernecks (1-4).
Girton (2-0) gave up two runs in the first and another in the fifth. He was charged with six hits in five innings.
The Red Raiders rallied behind him. Kevin Bazzell and Austin Green, batting third and fourth in the lineup, drove in three runs apiece. Green homered in third, giving Tech a 4-2 lead and added sacrifice flies in the fifth and the seventh, the latter making it 7-3. Bazzell's RBI came on a double in the first, a fielder's choice in the seventh and a groundout in the eighth.
Dillon Carter and Tracer Lopez each drove in two runs. Carter made his first start of the season in center field.
Relievers Andrew Devine, Josh Sanders and Jacob Rogers combined for four scoreless innings to shut the door on the victory. Devine struck out three in two innings of work after replacing Girton in the sixth.
Due to concerns of inclement weather, the two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader at noon Saturday.
Tech softball
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Kaylah Nelsen drove in five runs and Utah beat Texas Tech 6-2 Friday in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, dealing the Red Raiders their second consecutive loss after a nine-game win streak.
Nelsen whacked a three-run double that gave the Utes a 4-2 in the first inning and added a two-run single in the third.
In the top of the first, Tech's Arriana Villa walked and Peyton Blythe hit a two-run homer, but the Red Raiders managed only three hits the rest of the way against Mariah Lopez (4-2). She struck out seven in a complete game.
On Saturday, Tech (10-4) is scheduled to play Bethune-Cookman (1-10) at 7 p.m. and UC San Diego (7-6) at 10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Brendan Girton tosses fives innings, aids Texas Tech to 11-3 series-opening win over Western Illinois
