Red Raiders top Wildcats, win opening game of Big 12 Tournament

The regular-season conference champion Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball team won their opening game in the Big 12 Championship tournament at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, knocking off 8^th seed Kansas State by a score of 7-4.

The offense caught on early, getting a run in both the first and second innings and adding three in the third. It seemed like the Red Raiders might cruise through the Wildcats and Big 12 Freshman of the Year Jordan Wicks, who exited in the third inning. However, Kansas State battled back in 7^th and cut the lead to 5-4.

The offense received two insurance runs in the seventh inning after Captain Texas Tech, Josh Jung, walked followed by three consecutive hits scored a run before a bases loaded hit-by-pitch scored the third insurance run.

Micah Dallas went five innings strong on the afternoon, allowing three runs on five hits with three strikeouts. John McMillion, Clayton Beeter, Dane Haveman and Taylor Floyd all pitched in relief, so Tadlock wasted no time bringing the big guns out to close out the game.

Just a few quick hits from me.

• I was surprised to see Micah Dallas get the start after throwing seven innings on Friday night. I was for sure you were going to see Montgomery or Lanning, but I get the feeling Tadlock wanted to get this win to lock up the 8^th national seed.
• Speaking of national seeding, D1 baseball projects Tech with the 8^th and final national seed, paired with the Stillwater regional.
• I know this Tech team made easy work of the Cowboys earlier in the season with a sweep at Rip Griffin Park, but I wouldn’t particularly like seeing this newly confident OSU bunch, again. (OSU went to Corvallis, Oregon and swept reigning National Champion Oregon State early May).
• I don’t know about you, but I did not want to deal with breakfast baseball against Kansas today. I’m glad Tech took care of business and got the win Wednesday afternoon.
• As stated in the recap, you got a sense of the guys Tadlock will be leaning on as far as the bullpen goes in high leverage situations going forward.
• I had to take the game in on the radio from my desk. Can we give a hat-tip to Geoff Haxton and Jamie Lent? I’m not sure how much credit those guys get…well, ever. But it’s certainly deserved. First class radio call from them two, day-in and day-out.

Texas Tech plays West Virginia Thursday afternoon. First pitch at 4pm.