BY GEORGE WATSON l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Video: Tech vs New Mexico

Victory with a touch of redemption was sweet for Robbie Kilcrease.

Texas Tech’s sophomore left-hander gave the Red Raiders a needed boost Wednesday against New Mexico, with the team coming off its first loss of the season and playing the finale of a six-game, season-opening homestand. In the process, he erased the bad memories from his first career start last year against these same Lobos.

Kilcrease overcame a rough first inning to hold the Lobos to just two runs on four hits over a career-high six innings, and that was more than enough for the Tech offense in a 6-3 win in front of 1,912 at Dan Law Field.

“I knew New Mexico would be a great hitting team. They’re a good ballclub,” said Kilcrease, who walked two and struck out four. “I needed to go out and pitch like I can. That first inning was a little rocky, but I was able to settle down and I had great defense behind me.”

Texas Tech?s Scott LeJeune hits his first career home run as a Red Raider during Tech's game against New Mexico on Wednesday afternoon at Dan Law Field. Tech defeated the Lobos, 6-3.

After allowing the two runs on three hits in the first inning, Kilcrease (1-0) put up goose eggs in the next five frames. He retired the side in order in the second, fifth and sixth innings before giving way to the bullpen.

And aside from an error on a miscommunication covering first on a sacrifice bunt, the defense was stellar for the Red Raiders (5-1), particularly Justin Berry. The freshman third baseman finished with 10 assists — the first time a Tech player has had double-digit assists since Gera Alvarez against Texas-Pan American in 2002 — and the Red Raiders also turned three double plays.

“Outstanding,” Tech coach Dan Spencer said of Kilcrease’s effort. “You can’t say enough about Robbie. (New Mexico) obliterated him last year in Albuquerque and he got out there and scuffled a little in the first, but then he ran five more zeros up there and gave us a chance to catch our breath. That’s the difference between Robbie Kilcrease as a freshman and Robbie Kilcrease as a sophomore. He’s one of our guys. He’s a stud.”

Texas Tech's Joey Kenworthy prepares to throw to first over New Mexico's Rafael Neda for a double play during their game Wednesday at Dan Law Field.

Tech finally started breathing when freshman Scott LeJeune ripped his first home run in a Tech uniform, a solo shot off the scoreboard in right-center field to lead off the third. That kick-started the Red Raiders into a four-run outburst, after which they never trailed again.

Michael Reed, playing for the second straight day at second base for the injured Willie Rueda, followed with an RBI double to left-center to tie the game. After a fielder’s choice by Joey Kenworthy, Chris Richburg doubled off the wall in right-center to give Tech the lead, and Taylor Ashby followed with an bloop, RBI single to left to put Tech up 4-2.

“We knew we were going to catch up. We were just looking for the right time,” LeJeune said. “I was just looking for my pitch like everyone else. Everyone had solid at-bats and we kept it going from there.”

Tech added two more runs in the fifth on Richburg’s third home run of the season, a two-run blast over the wall between the monster in center field and the scoreboard in right-center. That gave Tech a 6-2 lead, and with Kilcrease pitching well looked to be a lead that was safe.

Just like Tuesday, however, the Lobos (4-2) threatened in the seventh, putting the first two runners on base against reliever Brennan Stewart, making his first appearance of the season. Unlike Tuesday, the rally didn’t last long.

Adam Courcha plated one run with a groundout to first, but Tech got out of the inning without further damage on Berry’s 10th assist and a strikeout by Stewart of leadoff hitter Mike Brownstein. New Mexico never seriously threatened again.

“I don’t think there was ever a doubt we were going to come out today and play well,” said Richburg, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs. “We wanted to get the win, and I don’t think it surprised any of us that we came out and played like we did today.”

Now comes the first test away from home as the Red Raiders won’t play in Lubbock again for two weeks. But going into the road swing with five wins in six games is plenty pleasing to the new head coach.

“I was very proud of how our guys played the first six games,” Spencer said. “They showed up and showed up with some consistency, and the intensity level was good again.

“To respond like we did after a tough loss (Tuesday), I hope says a lot about this club. I know it’s early and we’ve had some success … but we’ve got some tough kids. I hope it shows up in wins at the end of the year, but our approach will be to be relentlessly consistent, win or lose.”

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