UH pitching silences Texas Tech's bats in College Classic opener

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Houston baseball coach Todd Whitting issued a challenge to Aaron Garza before the start of the season.

UH had lost its top two pitchers from last season to graduation and the Major League Baseball draft, leaving Garza as the likely option to move into the role as staff ace.

"This is the time to be the guy, for him to lead our pitching staff," Whitting said.

Garza struck out a career-high seven in 8 2/3 innings Friday as the Cougars remained unbeaten with a 9-0 victory over Texas Tech in the opening game of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

Jacob Lueneburg went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for the Cougars (8-0), who are off to their best start since 1993.

Texas Tech had its eight-game winning streak snapped.

Minute Maid Park, action from Houston College Classic baseball tournament. This first game is Texas Tech vs. UH. UH #21 Aaron Garza was in good form for today's 9-0 win over Tech. 2/28/14 Minute Maid Park, action from Houston College Classic baseball tournament. This first game is Texas Tech vs. UH. UH #21 Aaron Garza was in good form for today's 9-0 win over Tech. 2/28/14 Photo: Craig Hartley, For The Chronicle Photo: Craig Hartley, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close UH pitching silences Texas Tech's bats in College Classic opener 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Starts like Garza's have become the standard for the UH pitching staff, which has five shutouts in eight games.

Mixing a slider and two-seam fastball, Garza kept Texas Tech hitters off balance. The junior righthander did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and scattered six singles – including three that didn't leave the infield – before leaving with two outs and two runners on in the ninth inning. Tyler Ford recorded the final out as the UH pitching staff lowered its season earned-run average to 0.74.

"It seems like a lot of our pitchers just want to get in there and pitch to be a part of it," said Garza, who is 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA.

What began as a pitcher's duel between Garza and Tech righthander Dominic Moreno eventually turned into a blowout, as the Cougars scored eight runs – off three different Tech relievers - in the seventh inning, highlighted by a three-run double by Lueneburg and a two-run homer by Ashford Fulmer.

Kyle Survance, Frankie Ratcliff and Casey Grayson each had two hits for the Cougars.

Garza is a completely different pitcher this year after admittedly "not being as competitive ... kind of going through the motions" the last two seasons. He's allowed only one earned run with 18 strikeouts and just two walks in 22 innings.

"This year is a different story," Garza said. "I just want to go out there and compete."

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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