Freshman 3B Tanner Gardner drove in the eventual game-winning run in the top of the ninth with an RBI single as No. 19 Texas Tech defeated Abilene Christian 7-6 in non-conference baseball action at Crutcher Scott Field in Abilene Tuesday.

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The win marks the fourth straight victory for Red Raiders who improve to 23-14 on the season, while the Wildcats dropped to 8-25.

For Gardner it was his career first game-winning hit. Gardner, who finished 2-for-5 at the plate, has had a base hit in seven of his last eight games and posted his fourth multi-hit game of the season.

Zach Davis and Eric Gutierrez also had multi-hit games for Tech. Freshman shortstop Orlando Garcia kept up his hot hitting by driving in a couple of runs with an RBI double as well.

Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Withrow (1-0) earned his first win of the season pitching a scoreless inning in relief while striking out the side.

Senior right-handed pitcher Dominic Moreno notched his fifth save of the season  with two innings pitched with one walk and allowing a run on four hits to close the contest.

ACU starting right-handed pitcher Drew Hanson (1-1) took the loss allowing six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings with five strikeouts and three walks allowed.

Offensively, ACU had 14 hits in the loss while four Wildcats had a multi-hit game and rightfielder Chris Altimont went 3-for-5 with three RBI.

Red Raider outfielder Tyler Neslony extended his hitting streak to nine games  and has reached base safely in 18 consecutive contests.

Tech will return to Big 12 play this weekend while traveling to Manhattan, Kansas to face Kansas State at Tointon Family Stadium.

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