The “Raider Power” chants were bellowed early and often as No. 5 Texas Tech defeated Fairfield 12-1 in the opening round of the Lubbock Regional at Rip Griffin Park on Friday.
That electricity sparked a Stephen Smith go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth as the Red Raiders rallied from behind to defeat New Mexico 4-3 to advance to the regional final Saturday.
After the Dallas Baptist offense hushed the crowd from the get-go during Sunday’s contest, the 4,732 Red Raider faithful rejoiced as Texas Tech held off the Patriots to win 5-3 and advance to the Super Regionals for the second time in three years.