Texas Tech (37-16, 11-10) vs. West Virginia (27-21, 9-11)
Official Site Notes
Location: Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park | Lubbock, TX
Radio: Affiliates
Let’s Do This. This is a pretty big series. Texas Tech is almost assuredly going to receive an NCAA bid and break the string of not making the tournament. It’s really been an unbelievable ride and to absolutely guarantee themselves a spot, Texas Tech needs to win this series and I think at that point, the Big 12 Tournament won’t be a end-all scenario. Tim Tadlock has been terrific as a manager and a head coach. I love starting Taylor and Dusek between Sadberry as both of those guys have been pretty solid for the better part of the year. It’s also clear that Tadlock wants to send a message to his team and win the first two games. Taylor and Sadberry might be the two best pitchers on this staff right now, despite the team’s recent struggles.
Double Play. We’ve got a look at the double-play tandem of shortstop Tim Proudfoot and second baseman Bryant Burleson (via LAJ:
"We’re like best friends out there," said Proudfoot, Tech’s three-year starting shortstop and native of North Bend, Wash. "Playing and talking with your best friend, you know there’s a certain communication level that’s better than other people that you know. We just translate that to every aspect of our defense, offense we help share other things we learn on the field and just help each other out."
OUTFIELD: LF: Tyler Neslony| CF: Stephen Smith | RF: Adam Kirsch
INFIELD: 3B: Jake Barrios | SS: Tim Proudfoot | 2B: Bryant Burleson | 1B Eric Gutierrez | C: Hunter Redman | DH: Matt Broadbent
Game 1: Thursday, May 15th @ 6:30 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: RHP Corey Taylor (5-2, 1.88)
West Virginia Starting Pitcher: LHP Harrison Musgrave (5-3 2.23)
Final Score & Box Score: West Virginia 3, Texas Tech 4 - Official Site - Box Score
A walk-off win. A single by Hunter Redman, who ended up 3-4 and that lone RBI to drive in the winning run. Corey Taylor got the start, but only went 2.1 innings, giving up just 3 hits. Jonny Drozd replaced Taylor, who went 5.2 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 run, walking 1 and striking out 4, while Dominic Moreno went 2.2 innings, giving up 2 hits, 2 runs, walking 1 and striking out 3. Cameron Smith finished up the game and earned the win, pitching the last out. Overall, the offense managed 13 hits, including multi-hit games from Eric Gutierrez, Alec Humphreys and Devon Conley, who all had 2 hits.
This was a huge win for this team, moving to 38-16 and 12-10 for the year. This is a huge win for this team and I'm guessing that they have pretty much wrapped up at least a #2 seed.
Game 2: Friday, May 16th @ 6:30 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: LHP Chris Sadberry (4-2, 3.34)
West Virginia Starting Pitcher: LHP Ross Vance (3-2, 3.16)
Final Score & Box Score: West Virginia 2, Texas Tech 3 - Official Site - Box Score
How about that. The second game with a walk-off hit, this time by Tim Proudfoot, who singled home Zach Davis, a pinch runner. Another bit is that Cameron Smith got the win, which means that he's the winner for the first two games of the series, which is ridiculous to consider and hopefully he gets the day off today. Starter Chris Sadberry was okay, but he walked way too many batters, issuing 6 walks in his 5.1 innings of work, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs while striking out 3. Ryan Moseley came in to replace Sadberry, but immediately walked the only 2 batters he faced and Smith then pitched the rest of the way, going 3.2 innings without allowing a hit, walking 1 and striking out 4. The offense was just good enough for the second straight game. Bryant Burleson was 2-3 with an RBI, Adam Kirsch was 2-1 with an RBI and the aforementioned Tim Proudfoot was 2-4 with an RBI.
Texas Tech is now 39-16 and 13-10 in the Big 12. The season isn't over, but this has been one heck of a season. High fives to everyone.
Game 3: Saturday, May 17th @ 2:00 pm
Texas Tech Starting Pitcher: LHP Dylan Dusek (5-0, 2.63)
West Virginia Starting Pitcher: LHP John Means (6-1, 2.87)
Final Score & Box Score: West Virginia 0, Texas Tech 4 - Official Site - Box Score
40 wins. 40 freaking wins. I never saw it coming and was hoping that this team could just make it respectable this year. Glad that Tim Tadlock had other plans. Freshman Dylan Dusek won his 6th game of the year, 6-0 on the year, going 6.2 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 walks and 1 strike out. Dominic Moreno came in and earned the save, going 2.1 innings, giving up 2 hits, no runs and striking out 1. The offense scattered 12 hits, with Bryant Burleson, Tyler Neslony, Adam Kirsch, Alec Humphreys, and Devon Conley all having 2 hits. Burleson had a triple of all things. Kirsch had his 9th home run of the year and it was a bomb into left field.