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1. Red Raider of the Game
The Red Raider pitching staff was brilliant tonight, and is a good sign for the upcoming games in the postseason. Starter Davis Martin allowed only 1 hit through 5.1 innings, reliever Hayden Howard had 4 hits scattered over 3 innings, and closer Ryan Moseley finished off the Mountaineers when they were threatening to get back into the game. This performance is exactly what we'll need going into the Big 12 tournament and regional play.
2. Play That Impacted the Game
In the top of the 7th, with West Virginia leading 1-0, a runner on 2nd and 2 outs, a ball was hit into shallow right center field. As the runner rounded 3rd and headed home, right fielder Stephen Smith one hopped a ball straight to catcher Tyler Floyd who held his ground, and more importantly, the ball, to get the 3rd out that sent the game to the 7th inning stretch.
Watch: Smith throws a strike to the plate to send us to the stretch and the singing of "God Bless America" #WreckEm https://t.co/1f3luyop9U
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 20, 2016
3. Stat of the Game
0-11. The top 4 batters for Tech in tonight's lineup went a combined 0-11 as the hits were at a premium. Luckily for the Red Raiders, this lineup is so deep that the 5th, 6th, and 8th hitters all went 1-3 and provided just enough scoring to get the win over the Mountaineers.
4. Forgotten Play of the Game
In the top of the 6th inning, West Virginia had 2 on with only 1 out, and Hayden Howard came on in relief of starter Davis Martin. It only took 1 pitch to get out of the inning as Tech had another double play that has been a signature play of the Tim Tadlock-era infield defense.
Watch: Hayden Howard needs just one pitch to get #TexasTech out of the 6th via a 1-6-3 GDP. #WreckEm https://t.co/LwDlmVzGqC
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) May 20, 2016
5. Big Reason Tech Won the Game
Great pitching, especially by Ryan Mosely, won the game for Tech. It was reported that is sinker has come back and was working effectively, which is huge news for Ryan and the Tech pitching staff. Having an experienced pitcher anchor your bullpen is just what this team will need moving forward these next few weeks.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for a 1st pitch at 2:00pm on Friday.