Utah Utes Power Past Texas Tech Red Raiders in 10-3 Series Opener Win

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah baseball team used power hitting and dominant relief pitching to pull away with a 10-3 win over Texas Tech in the series opener Friday night at America First Ballpark.

The victory improved Utah to 18-15 overall and 7-9 in Big 12 play, while Texas Tech fell to 20-17 and 6-10 in conference standings. The game marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs in baseball history.

Utah’s Offensive Surge Powers Early Lead

Utah struck first in the bottom of the first inning when designated hitter Jackson Williams launched a two-run home run to left field, giving the Utes an early 2-0 lead. The blast came off Texas Tech starter Jackson Burns, who entered the game with a 5.98 ERA.

The Utes added to their advantage in the third inning. With one out, catcher Caleb Bennett singled to center field. After a sacrifice bunt moved Bennett to second, infielder Mason Greene followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Later in the frame, Williams delivered his second hit of the game – an RBI double down the left-field line – to score Greene and extend Utah’s lead to 4-0.

Texas Tech finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Designated hitter Kaelen Culpepper led off with a double and advanced to third on a groundout. After a walk to outfielder Jalen Bennett, Culpepper scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Dane Morrison, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

But Utah answered immediately in the bottom of the fourth. Leadoff hitter Ethan Rodriguez drew a walk, and after a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, Williams walked to load the bases. Greene then delivered a two-run single to left center, making it 6-1 Utes.

Relief Pitching Shuts Down Red Raiders

After Burns allowed four runs on five hits over 3.2 innings, Texas Tech turned to its bullpen. Reliever Connor Mohan took the ball for the Red Raiders in the fifth inning but struggled with command, walking two batters and hitting another before being pulled after recording just one out.

Utah capitalized on the wildness. With the bases loaded and one out, Williams was hit by a pitch to force in a run, making it 7-1. After a strikeout, Greene followed with an RBI single to left field, extending the Utah lead to 8-1.

Texas Tech managed to avoid a shutout in the sixth inning. After two walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases with no outs, Morrison hit a sacrifice fly to score Bennett, making it 8-2. Later in the inning, Culpepper hit an RBI single to make it 8-3.

But Utah’s bullpen slammed the door. Reliever Payton Riske entered the game in the sixth inning with the Utes leading 8-3 and retired the side in order. He returned for the seventh inning, striking out the side on just 11 pitches to preserve the lead.

In the eighth inning, Utah added insurance runs. After a leadoff walk to Rodriguez, Bennett advanced him to second with a sacrifice bunt. Williams then walked again to load the bases, and Greene followed with an RBI single to make it 9-3. After a strikeout, Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch to make it 10-3.

Riske closed out the ninth inning with a 1-2-3 frame to earn the save, finishing the game with two innings of operate, one hit allowed, no runs, and four strikeouts.

Williams and Greene Lead Utah’s Charge

Jackson Williams finished the game 3-for-4 with two walks, two RBIs, and two runs scored. His two-run home run in the first inning set the tone for Utah’s offensive output.

Mason Greene went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, including the pivotal two-run single in the fourth inning and the RBI single in the eighth that started Utah’s final two-run burst.

On the mound, Ryan Kittredge earned the win for Utah, improving to 1-0 on the season. He worked five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

For Texas Tech, Jackson Burns took the loss, falling to 2-3. He allowed four runs on five hits over 3.2 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

Series Continues Saturday

The two teams will meet again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT for game two of the three-game series. Texas Tech will send right-hander Connor Mohan to the mound against Utah’s Payton Riske.

The series finale is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. MT, with Adam Hayes set to start for Texas Tech against Utah’s TBD starter.

Both teams remain in the middle of the Big 12 standings as they jockey for position heading into the final weeks of the regular season.