Gavin Kash nets five RBI, continues torrid hitting pace as No. 18 Red Raiders sweep GCU

Carlos Silva Jr., Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

April 19, 2023 at 5:47 PM·6 min read

Zane Petty didn't have to worry too much Wednesday afternoon.

Texas Tech's freshman right-handed hurler got out of the first inning without a scratch and watched as his offense put up three in the bottom half before adding two more in the next.

With a pair of crooked innings, Petty was able to battle and turn in four innings of one-hit ball — while Gavin Kash netted a pair of home runs, bumping his total to a nation-best 19, to go with five RBI — to help the No. 18 Red Raiders secure a mid-week series with a 11-6 victory over Grand Canyon University at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

More: Fast foils GCU bats as Texas Tech wins 6-1

"I'm definitely a lot more comfortable and confident going into each start," said Petty, who improved to 2-0 in seven appearances that included four starts. "I know what I can do and I've got a good defense behind me always."

Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock agreed.

Texas Tech's Gavin Kash (13) prepares to hit a home run against Grand Canyon in game two of their midweek series, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

"I thought he threw the ball well," the Red Raiders coach said of Petty, who hails from Corsicana, Texas. "Anytime a guy gets through four innings and doesn't give up a hit, (he's) throwing the ball pretty good. Very diligent about what he does week to week. Excited about his future."

After not earning a win over the Antelopes (20-17) in the previous four contests of the overall series, Texas Tech (27-12 overall) secured the sweep to bounce back following a Big 12 Conference road run-rule loss to Oklahoma on Sunday.

Petty set the tone of the contest by securing his one and only strikeout on the first batter of the game, GCU's Zach Gregory, before induing a lineout and groundout to get out of the top of the first.

Kevin Bazzell and Kash notched back-to-back, RBI singles to fuel the three-run bottom half that provided the Red Raiders a 3-0 advantage, a lead they would never relinquish the rest of the way.

Ty Coleman, who went 3-for-8 with four RBI during the midweek series, helped add to the scoring gap with an RBI double before Gage Harrelson chipped in an RBI single that put Texas Tech up 5-0 after two complete.

In total, the No. 2 through 5 hitters of Coleman, Gage Harrelson, Kevin Bazzell and Kash, combined for nine RBI in the Wednesday triumph over the 'Lopes. Over the last 10 games, Kash, Harrelson and Bazzell have totaled 44 RBI out of the 69 total runs driven in for the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech's Zac Vooletich (9) taps helmets with Texas Tech's Gavin Kash (13) after Kash's home run against Grand Canyon in game two of their midweek series, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

"Definitely, those guys are doing a good job and a lot of times one guys maybe driving in the runs or getting the results — and other guys are setting it up," Tadlock said of his No. 2 through 5 hitters on Wednesday. "Guys understand the value of extending at bats and winning pitches.

"Guys did that today (Wednesday), for the most part, up and down the order."

Kash, who came into the series third in the country with 59 RBI, has been a player to watch at the plate. In his past five games, the left-handed hitter has tallied six home runs and 16 RBI. That's to go along with a 1.500 slugging percentage and .550 (11-for-20) batting average while second in the country with 66 runs batted in.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough because every time I come up there — no one's on base," Vooletich said, cracking a smile. "And I don't mind it. I don't mind doing it. But, he cleans up the basepaths, man. He does his thing."

Vooletich has also done his thing, earning the start in the past 10 games to fill in the void left by Dillon Carter (wrist) and Owen Washburn (arm) who have been nursing injuries. During that stretch, Vooletich has hit a team-best .421 to go with one home run and three RBI.

"It's been huge," Tadlock said of Vooletich's hitting. "You lose Dillon and Owen, and (Austin) Green was out there for a little bit. ... He's really taken it and ran with it, which is what you want to see a guy do."

With all that said, the Red Raiders will prepare for another Big 12 series when they welcome Baylor to town for a three-game set this weekend. If the midweek sweep was any indication, Tadlock feels his squad is in a good mental space.

Harrelson had two RBI, while Coleman and Bazzell each drove in a run.

Zach Yorke, who hit a two-run home run in the eighth, ended with two RBI for GCU.

Texas Tech's Kevin Bazzell (4) loses his hat while he throws the ball to first base against Grand Canyon in game two of their midweek series, Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

"To turn around and play a night game and then a day game takes a little bit of fortitude to get ready and the preparation," Tadlock said of his squad regrouping on a short turnaround following the Sunday road loss to the Sooners. "Was really proud of them coming out and doing that (today).

"It's not really normal in college baseball to turn around that quick unless it's a tournament setting. I think that was good for us."

Quick hits

Tech center fielder Dillon Carter, out since March 12 because of a broken wrist, has been cleared to return and could be on the active roster for this weekend's home series against Baylor.

"Whether he'll be in the lineup, we'll see," Tadlock said. "I asked in the top of the 9th if he could play defense, and we basically said, 'Let's wait 'til the weekend.' So he's cleared. We're in a good spot with him." ...

Second baseman Austin Green was a fixture in the Tech cleanup spot all season until he missed the last two games of the North Dakota State series on April 7 and April 8. Since returning, he's batted fifth once, sixth three times and seventh on Tuesday.

"He had some injuries," Tadlock said. "One time it was a hamstring. He's just been dinged up, and just really felt like to get him going again, it's a good spot for him. I like the idea of, if he's coming up after those guys (in the middle of the order), there's going to be some guys on base for sure, which could be good. But he could slide right back up there just as fast."

What's next: Texas Tech is slated to host Baylor for a three-game conference series, starting with a 6:30 p.m. Friday contest. The two teams will meet at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Raiders are slated to start Mason Molina (3-2, 4.60 ERA) on Friday while Trendan Parish (2-0, 5.09 ERA) is set for Saturday with Sunday to be determined.

Don Williams contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Gavin Kash nets five RBI, continues torrid hitting pace as No. 18 Texas Tech Red Raiders sweep Grand Canyon University

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