1. Red Raider of the Game
Eric Gutierrez went 2-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs, including a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning. Gute was expected to have a great senior season, and he has delivered. His 11 home runs this year are best in the conference, and he has hit a deep shot in 4 of the past 6 games. He is now tied for 8th in Tech history with Keith Ginter at 34.
2. Play That Impacted the Game
In the bottom of the 4th inning, with Tech up 6-2, Robert Dugger allowed a single and 2 straight walks to load the bases. Coach Tadlock sent out Ryan Moseley, who has been very hit or miss this year. In the TCU series, he couldn't find the zone, and received a lot criticism for it. When Ryan went in this time, there was a lot of questions on how he would bounce back, especially with the bases loaded and no outs. He got the first batter to pop out, and then an inning-ending double play to get out with no damage. Ryan went 3 innings today and was credited with the win.
3. Stat of the Game
The only hitting stat Tech was better than Kansas at today was the total hit count, and average when the bases were loaded. Kansas had a better stat in overall batting average, hitting with 2 outs, average with runners on, leadoff batter average, and advancement opportunities. However, the Red Raiders did have 4 doubles and 2 home runs compared to just 1 double for Kansas. Also, Kansas grounded into a double play 4 times, as opposed to just once for Tech.
4. Forgotten Play of the Game
Even though Moseley did get the win, and pitched out of the jam in the 4th, he got himself into a jam in the 5th. 2 singles, a wild pitch, and a walk loaded the bases for Kansas again, but he was able to get a ground out to end the inning. Although Ryan wasn't as clean as we would like, it was great to see him get out of a couple jams, which will hopefully boost his confidence heading into the last 4 games of the regular season.
5. Big Reason Tech Won the Game
Timely hitting, and Kansas not capitalizing helped Tech along today to sweep another series and put the pressure on other teams if they want to win the conference. They are now 17-4 in the Big 12, 6 wins ahead of TCU, and 5 wins ahead of OSU. Tech has a series against West Virginia left after Finals week, whereas TCU plays in Waco and OSU has a neutral site series against OU next weekend. The magic number to win the conference is down to 1, so it will most likely be a matter of when, and not if.
