ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — Matt Quintanar’s three-run homer in a dominant first inning set the tone, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders rode a combined pitching effort to a 9-1 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Wednesday night at Kimbrell Arena.

The Red Raiders (22-19) sent 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame against Wildcats starter Collin Adams, who recorded only one out before being relieved. Kyeler Thompson led off with a single, stole second and scored on Tracer Lopez’s RBI double. After a walk and a fielder’s choice, Linkin Garcia drove in Lopez with a single. Quintanar then delivered the decisive blow, launching his third home run of the season to left field to clear the bases and stake Texas Tech to a 6-0 lead before Abilene Christian (18-20) came to bat.

That early outburst proved more than enough support for a parade of Texas Tech pitchers. Starter Connor Shouse worked two hitless innings before moving to designated hitter. Donovan Becerra (1-0) took over and earned the win, pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief. He allowed one run on four hits, striking out four. The Wildcats’ lone run came in the fifth inning when Zandt Payne doubled and scored on an RBI single by Diego Cardenas.

The Red Raiders bullpen sealed the win with scoreless work from Jorden Espinoza, Logan Bevis and Jake Spindler. The quartet of relievers combined to allow just one run on seven hits over the final seven innings, striking out nine Wildcats batters.

Texas Tech added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings, with Quintanar again at the center of the action. In the seventh, he lined a two-run single to right field, scoring Connor Shouse and Garcia. He finished 3-for-5 at the plate with five RBIs. Thompson added an RBI single in the eighth, part of his 4-for-6 performance that included two stolen bases and three runs scored.

The Wildcats used eight pitchers in an attempt to stem the tide, with Logan Young (0-1) taking the loss after allowing three inherited runners to score in the first. Abilene Christian managed seven hits but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight baserunners.

The victory extends Texas Tech’s winning streak to two games following a blowout win over Tarleton State on Tuesday. The Red Raiders have now won both meetings with the Wildcats this season, having defeated them 15-4 in Lubbock on March 31. Abilene Christian has lost three of its last four.

Texas Tech opens a three-game Big 12 series at home against Oklahoma State on Friday. Abilene Christian begins a Western Athletic Conference series at home against Texas-Arlington, also on Friday.

The most important part of the game was the top of the first inning, where Texas Tech established immediate and overwhelming control. The six-run outburst, capped by Matt Quintanar’s three-run homer, provided a cushion that allowed the Red Raiders to confidently deploy their pitching plan, using multiple arms to stifle any potential Wildcats rally before it could gain momentum. This early offensive explosion dictated the entire tempo and outcome of the contest.