SAN ANTONIO – Third-ranked Texas Tech posted its second straight shutout against UTSA, as the Red Raiders claimed a 3-0 victory in front of 1,131 fans on Sunday at Wolff Stadium.
The Roadrunners (2-3) picked up three hits on the day, including a pair by Trent Bowles. Dylan Rock collected the other knock.
Texas Tech scored a run in the second and two more in the fifth to clinch the series victory.
The Red Raiders then received six strong innings from starter John McMillon (2-0), who allowed only three hits, walked three and struck out six.
Ty Harpeneau threw a pair of scoreless panels, while Caleb Freeman came on in the ninth to secure the shutout and record his first save of the season.
UTSA's starting pitcher, Steven Dressler, also logged a quality start. The left-hander worked 6.2 innings, scattering nine hits and three runs. He also walked three and fanned five on 99 pitches.
Texas Tech opened with a 1-0 lead in the second inning, as Grant Little registered a one-out triple and came around to score on Cody Farhat's single through the right side of the infield.
The Red Raiders added two insurance marks in the fifth, as Kurt Wilson singled to right field, driving in Game Holt and Farhat.
The Roadrunners stranded men in scoring position in three innings.
UTSA had a pair in scoring position in the second with two outs, but McMillon worked out of the frame after inducing a fly ball.
Bowles banged a double off the left-field wall with one out in the sixth. He advanced to third on a wild pitch when Tony Beam struck out swinging and was stranded on the ensuing at-bat, which ended with a groundout.
The Birds made one more push for a run in the eighth.
Jonathan Tapia drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a groundout. After a strikeout, Tapia stole third, but he was left there as the Red Raider pitching staff forced another fly out.
The two teams will play the series finale at 12 p.m. Monday at Roadrunner Field. UTSA will send right-hander Derek Craft (1-0) to the mound in the matinee.
