For the third time in five years, the Texas Tech Red Raiders will be playing in the College World Series. Their high powered offense fueled them to a victory over the Duke Blue Devils. The Duke pitching staff held this team below their season average for runs scored in each game of the series.
The biggest catalyst for the Super Regional win is Freshman All-American Gabe Holt. In the decisive game three win he kicked off the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning.
Then in the bottom of the eighth, he singled just past the second baseman’s glove to score Cameron Warren. Two batters later he raced home to score another run sliding just under the catcher’s tag after a single to right field from Josh Jung.
For the weekend he hit an amazing .583, scored 5 runs, had 4 RBI, and 1 home run. Although known for his speed, it was the pop in his bat that made the biggest impact in this series.
This team will be looking to make noise next week in Omaha. Tech’s next opponent, the defending champion Florida Gators, will be in for a battle for the entire nine innings.