Parker Hutyra fielding error part of Texas Tech baseball road loss to No. 2 Arkansas
The Texas Tech baseball team faced off against a big-time, non-conference opponent Tuesday night.
The Red Raiders, who were reeling from two straight Big 12 Conference road losses at TCU over the weekend, attempted to right the ship when taking on No. 2 Arkansas at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
Zach Erdman and the offense looked to be in the zone early — building a seven-run advantage through the top of the fourth.
But it wasn't enough as the Razorbacks came roaring back — plating six runs in the fifth to knot the game up and adding another in the eighth to tie at 8-all — before pinch hitter Nolan Souza recorded the walk-off sacrifice fly for the 9-8 victory.
Parker Hutyra, who came on in relief in the ninth, struggled to find his command and footing. The freshman from North Richland Hills had a chance to record the lead out on a runner, but lost his footing on a grounder to the left of the mound. The miscue allowed Jared Sprague-Lott to slide into second base and Hutyra loaded the bases after hitting Ben McLaughlin, who finished with two RBIs.
Prior to Tuesday's tilt, the Razorbacks won their last 23 home games and increased that total by one more with the comeback that started from 7-0 going into the top of the fourth.
Here are some takeaways from the contest between former Southwest Conference rivals Texas Tech (26-12) and Arkansas (31-5), which had won 11 games in a row before it dropped the last two in a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Alabama over the weekend.
How did Zach Erdman pitch against No. 2 Arkansas?
For about four innings, Zach Erdman appeared in line to turn in a quality start and come away with a big-time win against a top-ranked opponent on the road.
But, the Razorbacks figured out the lefty in what was almost his best start of the year. That was 4 2/3 innings against Stanford back on April 2.
After yielding a double and hitting a batter, Erdman was yanked by head coach Tim Tadlock in favor of Hudson Luce. Arkansas took advantage of the situation, plating a run thanks in part to an RBI single from Peyton Holt. The leadoff hitter jumpstarted a six-run inning that knotted the game up.
Former Texas Tech infielder Hudson White netted the game-tying RBI, sending a ball down the third-base line to make it 7-all. White ended the game going 1-for-4 with the lone RBI.
Texas Tech bats stay warm
The Red Raiders offense had never been in question this season, and that proved to be true Tuesday night against the Razorbacks.
Cade McGee started things off by hitting a two-run home run in the second. His homer was the catalyst to a key six-run inning that provided a solid cushion for starting pitcher Zach Erdman.
Dylan Maxcey (RBI single), Gavin Kash (RBI single) and Austin Green (two-RBI double) also contributed to the crooked inning.
Austin Green had the best night, going 5-for-5 with four singles and a go-ahead home run in the seventh to put Texas Tech ahead 8-7. Green had four RBIs on the night, while McGee drove in two runs.
What's next?
Texas Tech and Arkansas conclude their two-game midweek tilt at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Following the road trip, the Red Raiders return home for a three-game conference set against West Virginia, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. Friday game at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. The series, which is set to be streamed online on ESPN+, is slated to continue with games at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Parker Hutyra fielding error part of Texas Tech baseball road loss to No. 2 Arkansas
