St. John’s baseball got off to a sloppy start Sunday, falling to Texas Tech, 5-4, to open up its season.

The Red Storm pitchers combined to walk a total of 10 men and topped it off with a walk-off hit-by-pitch to give Texas Tech the win in the bottom of the ninth.

Texas Tech got off to a quick start, hitting starter Rob Delaney for two runs in the first inning. Tech scored another run in the third when Matt Smith singled in Brian Capps.

The Red Storm (0-1) struck back in the fourth, tying it up at three with RBIs by Gil Zayas, Ken Devenney and Eddie Schultz.

The Johnnies went on to take the lead in the fourth with Schultz singling in Chris Joachim.

But it couldn’t be held. In the eighth inning, the Red Raiders tied it up and set the stage for their dramatic ninth inning victory.

Anthony Smith worked himself into a bases-loaded, none-out jam and hit Leverton to end the game.

Despite the loss, there were some positive signs for St. John’s.

Freshman shortstop Gino Matias had three hits and junior transfer Luis Monell pitched 1.1 innings without giving up a run or a hit.