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The Red Raiders get their first Big 12 road series win of the season. This is a very solid way to continue the Big 12 momentum of last weekend's sweep of Baylor. The Red Raiders have now won 6 of 7 games. Hopefully this is a sign that they are putting things together at the right time like last season. My 3 takeaways from this series:
#1) The pitching continues to be the strength of this team. Cameron Smith and Corey Taylor are the bell cows of the staff. Ryan Moseley and Dominic Moreno are not too shabby either. I have written this same thing is multiple recaps, but it seems like an inning or two over the course of series gets off track for our pitching staff and boom a loss or two is added to our record. Take away the bottom of the fifth inning in Game 1 and the staff gave up 3 runs over 3 games in a sweep of K-State. Add the fifth inning in Game 1 to the mix and we win 2 of 3 while giving up 7 runs. With our offense struggling to consistently put up runs, our pitchers' margin of error is razor thin at times.
#2) Putting Zach Davis at the top of the order seems to have helped our offense. He didn't have a good series against K-State, only reaching base 3 times without a hit. However since he was inserted at the top of the lineup in the last 8 games, the Red Raiders have been averaging 1.5 more runs per game than the previous 8 games. They have also won 6 of those last 8 games as opposed to the previous 8 games where we went 3-5. He may not be the sole reason for the improvement, but it sure looks to have helped.
#3) The next Big 12 match up is a BIG one. We get the Big 12's first place* (a bit surprising first place I might add) and #17th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys in Lubbock this weekend. If you are in Lubbock this weekend get out and support the boys! A series win could vault us into first place. On top of that a strong finish may get us into position to host a regional. I am getting ahead myself though.
*Oklahoma State still has to finish up 2 of their games with Baylor. Their series opener was pushed back to Saturday and today's game was postponed due to weather. The Cowboys will be in second place if they lose the final 2 games to Baylor.