Hounds Shutout By Division I Pitching in a 16-0 Loss to Texas Tech

Box Score

LUBBOCK, TEXAS — Dustin Richardson pitched six hitless innings in Texas Tech University’s 16-0 victory over Eastern New Mexico University on Monday, Feb. 20 at Dan Law Field. The Greyhounds were also kept hitless by reliever Jason Seefeld, but did manage two hits with two outs in the ninth against Brian Cloud, as they dropped their record to 10-2 overall. The NCAA Division I Red Raiders improved their record to 6-3 overall.

Richardson overpowered the Hounds with 10 strikeouts. He gave up two walks as he faced only two batters beyond the minimum. Eastern’s starter on the mound, Evan Courteau (Jr., RHP, Minneapolis, MN/Rochester Community College), gave up four runs on six hits in three innings pitched. The relievers did not fare any better for ENMU, as Seth Clabaugh (Fr., LHP, Portales, NM/Angelo State University) allowed six runs in two innings and Kelly Crain (Sr., RHP, Gordon, TX/Gordon HS) gave up one run in an inning pitched. Charlie Ward (So., RHP, Roswell, NM/Trinadad State Junior College) came in to pitch in the seventh inning and was pounded for five runs on five hits. Keith Balderaz (So., RHP, Monahans, TX/Monahans HS) was Eastern’s only pitcher to find success against Tech, as he didn’t give up any hits in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Red Raiders scored two runs in the first and added two more in the third inning off Courteau. Texas Tech scored in five consecutive innings starting in the third inning. In the fourth, TTU scored five runs on three hits, taking advantage of back-to-back balks by Clabaugh and a throwing error by centerfielder Ryan French (Sr., Carlsbad, NM/Trinadad Junior College). Tech added a run in the fifth and one in the sixth for a commanding 11-0 lead.

Ward began the seventh on a negative note, giving up a lead off walk and four consecutive singles. He struck out the sixth batter of the inning before giving up a bases clearing three RBI double to first baseman James Leverton. Ward got the final two outs to get out of the inning while leaving Leverton stranded at second base.

Leverton led the Texas Tech offense going 4-5 at the plate with five RBIs and a run scored. Roger Kieschnick was only 1-4, but did drive in four runs on a sacrifice fly, a fielder’s choice and a two RBI single. Six other Red Raiders recorded an RBI each, including Joey Callender, Brian Capps, Blair Wilkins, Tyler Reves, Trey Stewart and Drew Evans. Tech pounded out 18 hits in the game, only four for extra bases.

Eastern’s two hits were delivered in its final at bat to avoid a no-hitter. With two outs, Justin Gee (Sr., RF, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) singled up the middle and advanced to second base on Mike McDuffie’s (Jr., 2B, Albuquerque, NM/Sandia HS) single to right field. Gee was the only Hound runner to get into scoring position.

ENMU will stay on the road with a weekend series at Tahlequah, OK beginning on Friday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. MST against Northeastern State University. The Lone Star Conference Crossover series will conclude on Saturday, Feb. 25 with the double-header slated for a 11 a.m. MST start. Eastern returns to the friendly confines of Greyhound Field on Friday, Mar. 3 and Saturday, Mar. 4 against Southeastern Oklahoma State University for another LSC Crossover series.