No. 5 Texas Tech clawed back against Kansas State to defeat the Wildcats, 8-5 in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament.
The Red Raiders fell into an early 3-0 hole, after Tech junior left-handed pitcher Ty Damron allowed three earned runs in K-State’s first trip to the plate. Damron lasted four innings, while allowing five hits, five earned runs, two walks and also recorded five strikeouts.
Texas Tech used five different pitchers in the contest against K-State.
After four innings of play the Raiders trailed the Wildcats 5-2.
However in the fifth inning, Texas Tech reeled off three runs to knot the game at 5-5.
Starting off the run, Tech senior utility player Cory Raley hit one through the left side to score junior outfielder Stephen Smith, making it 5-3 K-State.
Later in the frame, Tech senior first baseman Eric Gutierrez singled into left field to score senior catcher Tyler Floyd, cutting the K-State lead to one.
Continuing the rally, Tech junior infielder Hunter Hargrove hit a single into left field to score Raley, and the game was tied at 5 runs all.
Then in the sixth inning, Tech added two more to take their first lead of the game 7-5.
The Red Raiders then held on over the final three frames, and tacked on one more run en route to defeating Kansas State, 8-5.
Top seed Texas Tech will face fourth-seeded West Virginia in the following round, after they defeated fifth-seeded Oklahoma 6-0 in their opening round contest.
Tech and WVU will face off on Thursday, May 26 at 4:00 p.m. at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcast on FOX Southwest Plus and FOX College Sports depending on your television provider.
Stick with us tonight at 5, 6 and 10 in Red Raider Nation on KAMC News for highlights, analysis and more!
