Texas Tech sweeps Lubbock Regional

Well, what else is there to be said?

Texas Tech has swept the Lubbock Regional for the third straight year, and has advanced to host Stanford or UC Irvine in the Lubbock Super Regional.

There were six Red Raiders named to the all-tournament team, including Kurt Wilson, who in returning from his thumb injury, earned most outstanding player in the tournament going 5-for-11 with a double, a homer, two runs, and four RBIs. He was joined by Braxton Fulford, Jace Jung, Easton Murrell, Cole Stilwell, and Ryan Sublette.

The Red Raiders finished off the Regional with an emphatic 8-2 victory over the UCLA Bruins.

Tech got a great performance from starter Mason Montgomery who went five innings giving up only two hits and two runs, only one of which was earned. He was followed by a trio of Tech relievers who pitched a combined total of four innings giving up only three hits. Andrew Devine pitched the sixth, Derek Bridges had the seventh, and Micah Dallas pitched the eighth and ninth inning.

On the offensive side, Tech was led by Easton Murrell, Kurt Wilson, and Cole Stilwell. All three of them had two RBIs against the Bruins, and Murrell went 3-for-3 on the day.

I do need to acknowledge something from past articles. This season I have not been the most optimistic about the Tech Bullpen. However, this weekend, they were outstanding. This weekend the bullpen went 10 ²⁄₃ innings, walked three, struck out 14 and only allowed one run. Quite frankly, if the bullpen continues throwing strikes and performing like they did this weekend, look out for the Red Raiders.

To put in perspective just how impressive the last three postseasons have been for the Red Raiders (2018-2021), only two teams have gone 9-0 in regional play: Vanderbilt and Texas Tech*.

For the weekend, Tech outscored its opponents 21-7, and had homers from Fulford, Jung, Wilson, and Cal Conley. Parker Kelly had an RBI double against Army and Dru Baker had a couple of hits on the weekend as well. Needless to say everyone contributed this weekend.

Patrick Monteverde and Chase Hampton were great in their starts as Army was held to three runs and UNC was held to two.

My MVP’s of the weekend:

Offense: Kurt Wilson, Easton Murrell, Cole Stilwell, Jace Jung, and Cal Conley.

Defense: Parker Kelly, Cal Conley, and Dru Baker.

Pitching: Ryan Sublette, Chase Hampton, Mason Montgomery, Micah Dallas, and Patrick Monteverde.

Tech will face Stanford or UC Irvine this weekend in a Super Regional best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to Omaha and the College World Series.

Look for our official Super Regional preview later on this week.

*Credit to Eric Kelly for the Vanderbilt and Tech stat.

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