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Lukas Pirko out as Texas Tech baseball gets set for Utah series
TL;DR
Texas Tech baseball will be without Friday night starter Lukas Pirko due to a non-arm-related injury. Coach Tim Tadlock stated that Pirko's condition has worsened over the past two weeks.
It's bad enough for the Texas Tech baseball team to have the worst earned-run average in the Big 12. Now the Red Raiders are going to be without their Friday night starter.
Lukas Pirko will be "down for some time," Tech coach Tim Tadlock said after the Red Raiders' 13-8 home loss to Incarnate Word on Wednesday, April 15. Tadlock said the junior righthander has an injury, not arm related, but declined to give specifics.
"It's something he's been trying to take care of through the spring," Tadlock said, "and what he told me before today's game is it was worse the last two weeks."
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Texas Tech's Logan Hughes is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Connor Shouse is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Robin Villeneuve is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Adam Hayes is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez looks on before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia looks on before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek catches a fly ball against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Adam Hayes pitches against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Tim Tadlock (center) and Texas Tech's coaches look on during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez prepares to throw for an out against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson prepares for an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson gestures after getting a hit against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson gestures after stealing a base against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez runs to first after an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Connor Shouse tracks the ball's flight against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Logan Hughes runs to first after an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek stands in the outfield during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Robin Villeneuve tosses the ball to first for an out against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia prepares for an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Caden Ferraro reacts to hitting a home run against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Caden Ferraro reacts to hitting a home run against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia stands in the dugout during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar runs to first against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek looks to the dugout during an at-bat against Abilene Christian in a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock looks on from the dugout during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar shows the ball after tagging the Abilene Christian runner out at home during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Logan Hughes is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Logan Hughes is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Connor Shouse is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Robin Villeneuve is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Adam Hayes is introduced before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez looks on before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia looks on before a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek catches a fly ball against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Adam Hayes pitches against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Tim Tadlock (center) and Texas Tech's coaches look on during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez prepares to throw for an out against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson prepares for an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson gestures after getting a hit against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Kyeler Thompson gestures after stealing a base against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Tracer Lopez runs to first after an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Connor Shouse tracks the ball's flight against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Logan Hughes runs to first after an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek stands in the outfield during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
23 / 31
Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Robin Villeneuve tosses the ball to first for an out against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia prepares for an at-bat against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Caden Ferraro reacts to hitting a home run against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Caden Ferraro reacts to hitting a home run against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Linkin Garcia stands in the dugout during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar runs to first against Abilene Christian during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Jesse Rusinek looks to the dugout during an at-bat against Abilene Christian in a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock looks on from the dugout during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
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Our best photos of Texas Tech baseball vs ACU
Texas Tech's Matt Quintanar shows the ball after tagging the Abilene Christian runner out at home during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
Tech (20-16, 6-9) plays a Big 12 series this weekend at Utah (17-15, 6-9). The Red Raiders and the Utes are part of a three-way tie for 10th in the conference standings with Cincinnati (25-14, 6-9). They're six games back of conference-leading No. 21 Kansas (27-10, 12-3).
Tadlock said Tech's rotation against Utah will be Jackson Burns, Connor Mohan and Adam Hayes.
Pirko (3-3, 6.17) has started the first game of the Red Raiders' past six series, moving into that role the weekend before Big 12 play began. He's tied for the team lead in wins and starts (9) and second in innings (42 1/3) and strikeouts (34).
"He's at least run out there and posted every week, right? And answered the bell to go try to go five or six innings," Tadlock said. "So having him down, it's not necessarily great."
Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock looks on from the dugout during a non-conference Division I baseball game, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Rip Griffin Park.
His adds to a significant long-term injury list for a staff with a 7.36 ERA. Parker Hutyra (elbow), one of the team's top returning pitchers, was out for the year after making a lone appearance on opening day. Versatile lefthander Ryan Free (foot) last pitched on March 14 and is questionable to return. Tadlock said after Wednesday's game that righthander Will Jordan, 2-1 with a 4.97 ERA in 12 appearances, is done for the year with a broken hand. He last pitched on April 3.
The Utah series will be Tech's first time to play in America First Ballpark, the Utes' $38 million facility that opened this season. It seats 3,000 and has views of the Wasatch Mountains beyond the outfield.
"It'll be fun to see it," Tadlock said. "That's awesome. It's got to be similar, right, to BYU? And BYU, you almost need to have a practice where everybody gets to sightsee and then come back and go, 'Hey, we're going to practice now,' because it is pretty."
Texas Tech baseball at Utah
∎ When (all times CDT): 7 p.m. Friday, April 17; 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19.
∎ Where: America First Ballpark, Salt Lake City
∎ Records: Texas Tech 20-16, 6-9 in the Big 12; Utah 17-15, 6-9
∎ Rankings in USA TODAY Sports coaches poll/RPI: Texas Tech unranked/106; Utah unranked/81
How to watch Texas Tech baseball at Utah
∎ Online streaming: All games on ESPN+
Texas Tech baseball at Utah pitching matchups
∎ Friday: Texas Tech RHP Jackson Burns (2-2, 5.98 ERA) vs. Utah starter to be announced.
∎ Saturday: Texas Tech RHP Connor Mohan (0-2, 9.23) vs. Utah starter to be announced.
∎ Sunday: Texas Tech RHP Adam Hayes (2-1, 5.40) vs. Utah starter to be announced.
Texas Tech baseball recent results, upcoming schedule
All times CDT. Home games in ALL CAPS. An asterisk (*) denotes Big 12 game.
∎ Wednesday, April 15: INCARNATE WORD, L 13-8
∎ Friday, April 15: at Utah*, 7 p.m.
∎ Saturday, April 16: at Utah*, 3 p.m.
∎ Sunday, April 17: at Utah*, 2 p.m.
∎ Tuesday, April 21: TARLETON STATE, 6 p.m.
∎ Friday, April 24: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
∎ Saturday, April 25: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
∎ Sunday, April 26: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech baseball preview, how to watch Big 12 series at Utah
Q&A
What injury is Lukas Pirko dealing with for Texas Tech baseball?
Lukas Pirko is dealing with a non-arm-related injury, but specific details have not been disclosed.
How has Lukas Pirko's injury affected Texas Tech's pitching staff?
Lukas Pirko's absence leaves Texas Tech with a weakened pitching staff, contributing to their status as having the worst earned-run average in the Big 12.
When did Lukas Pirko's injury become a concern for Texas Tech baseball?
Lukas Pirko's injury became a concern as he reported that it worsened over the last two weeks leading up to the announcement.
Who is the head coach of Texas Tech baseball discussing Lukas Pirko's injury?
The head coach of Texas Tech baseball, Tim Tadlock, discussed Lukas Pirko's injury after their recent loss to Incarnate Word.
