Damian Bravo is continuing his strong start to the season Friday night against Gardner-Webb for the Texas Tech baseball team.

The sophomore outfielder, who came into the contest batting .531, displayed his power bat with his team down a two runs in the second inning.

Bravo saw a pitch he liked before smacking the ball into the batter's eye — scoring a run and contributed the next inning by stealing home plate following a throwing error in the third — on the way to a combined five runs in the two innings on the way to helping the Red Raiders secure a 10-7 victory over the Bulldogs.

Bravo went 4-for-5 and ended with a team-best four RBIs after hitting a ball up the middle in the seventh. Kyle Robinson, who got the start, helped his cause in a big way in the fifth for the Red Raiders (7-2).

Following a mound visit with the bases loaded and two outs, the junior right-handed hurler struck out Alec Burns — his sixth batter fanned on his 82nd pitch, a 95 mile-per-hour fastball — to get out of the bind and maintained Texas Tech's 6-2 advantage. He finished with a career-tying eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work to improve to 2-1.

"I thought I threw the ball well," said Robinson, who tossed 98 pitches — 61 for strikes — on Friday. "Slider's been the best it's been in awhile. ... Defense made some great plays, offense obviously put up 10 runs. So, it was a good night."

Blake Brogdon, who previously visited Dan Law Field after appearing for Rice back on March 7, 2000, ended his day after giving up four earned runs in two innings for Gardner-Webb (2-7). He dropped to 0-3 on the year.

Kevin Bazzell out of lineup for Texas Tech baseball

For the first time this year, Kevin Bazzell was not penciled into the Texas Tech baseball lineup.

The sophomore infielder played in eight games — seven at catcher and one as a designated hitter — before he was not in the lineup in the series opener Friday against Gardner-Webb. Texas Tech coach Tim Tadlock made sure to clarify the Rockwall, Texas, native will be out, "for a few days" but did not provide a specific reason.

"I don't think I'm really supposed to say," Tadlock said when asked about Bazzell's absence Friday night. "He won't be in there for a few days. It's not an injury or anything. It's not discipline."

After his explanation, Tadlock was quick to point out that the newly-installed catcher was a vital part of the Red Raiders' offense. He owns a .406 batting average and has driven in 11 runs this season.

"Believe me, he would be in there," the Red Raiders coach said.

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Special first pitch thrower

Larry Wallace threw out the first pitch before Friday's opener between Texas Tech and Gardner-Webb.

Larry is brother of former TTU shortstop and assistant coach Brooks Wallace, who died of cancer at age 27 back in 1985.

The Brooks Wallace Award is a tribute to Brooks, who played shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977-80, passed away after a courageous battle with leukemia. The Award honors the nation's top collegiate shortstop each year.

Prior to 2009, the award recognized the national player of the year.

Cal Conley, who is playing with the Double-A Mississippi Braves in the minor leagues, is the only Red Raider to win the award back in 2021.

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First-time matchup

On Friday, Texas Tech welcomed Gardner-Webb for the first time in program history.

In what will be the answer to a trivia question one day, the Red Raiders sent out right-handed pitcher Kyle Robinson to start the home opener. He was opposed by righty Blake Brogdon.

What's next?

Texas Tech and Gardner-Webb are set to continue the three-game set with Saturday and Sunday tilts both scheduled for 2 p.m. All games are scheduled to be streamed online on ESPN+.

More: Preview and how to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Gardner-Webb

Rest of the pitching rotation

Here's what the rest of the weekend looks like, starting pitcher wise for Texas Tech and Gardner-Webb.

• Saturday, Texas Tech RHP Mac Heuer (0-0, 3.38) vs. Gardner-Webb LHP Michael Ciminiello (0-0, 2.79)

• Sunday, Texas Tech RHP Jack Washburn (1-0, 7.56) vs. Gardner-Webb RHP Parker Dixon (0-0, 0.00).

Texas Tech baseball schedule for next week

The Red Raiders are scheduled to take on New Mexico at 3 p.m. Tuesday in a midweek game before welcoming Texas for a three-game set in the final meeting between the in-state and Big 12 foes in conference play. The Longhorns and Tech begin the series at 6:30 p.m. March 8.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Kyle Robinson shoves, Damian Bravo nets 4 RBIs as Texas Tech baseball downs Gardner-Webb