LUBBOCK, Tex. - A four-run fourth inning broke open a close game and sent Texas Tech University on its way to a 12-3 victory over the Milwaukee baseball team Friday afternoon at Rip Griffin Park.
 
"Unfortunately, we just didn't do what we needed to do on the mound," Milwaukee head coach Scott Doffek said. "It was a tight zone and we didn't adjust. As a whole, I was happy with the quality of our at bats for the first time out this year. I really believe in process in this game and we just didn't do enough in that regard."
 
Daulton Varsho went 3-for-4 including a home run that tied the game early for the Panthers (0-1). But, the 25^th-ranked Red Raiders (1-0) used that fourth-inning rally to take control and, after getting out of a jam in the sixth inning, added on from there.
 
It was "Opening Day" for both teams, played on an 84-degree afternoon in front of an announced crowd of 4.070 fans.
 
"We just weren't able to relax enough to execute on the mound," Doffek said. "I am not sure that score was indicative of that game. We let it get away from us a little."
 
Milwaukee scored first on an infield single by Dylan Detert and knotted the game at 2-2 on Varsho's opposite-field blast in the top of the third inning.
 
Despite falling behind 6-2, Milwaukee never gave in and had the go-ahead run at the plate in the sixth inning. It loaded the bases and scored a run on a pair of singles and a pair of walks. With the bases still loaded, the Red Raiders came through with a big play defensively, however, turning a flare to shortstop into an inning-ending double play.
 
Texas Tech then opened the contest up with three runs in the seventh. Milwaukee had plenty of base runners on the day, but the Red Raiders turned five different double plays to put out rallies all afternoon.
 
The Panthers finished the afternoon with nine hits, led by three from Varsho. Ian Ross went 2-for-3 while Cole Heili added a hit and two walks.
 
Stephen Smith had a big day for the home team, finishing 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
 
Austin Schulfer (0-1) got the start on opening day, but suffered the loss after allowing six earned runs in 3.2 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
 
Jake Tuttle struck out three in 1.1 innings and Mason Pingel also had a scoreless inning of work.
 
The teams return to the diamond tomorrow for a doubleheader, with the first game set to start at noon.