The No. 3 Texas Tech baseball team picked up a three-game sweep over Wichita State after closing out a 3-1 victory in Sunday’s series finale at Eck Stadium.
It’s the first time in program history the Red Raiders (22-4) have swept the Shockers (11-13) in a three-game series. Tech improved to 7-1 on the road this season with the weekend’s results and have won their last eight consecutive contests.
Tech racked up three runs on seven hits on the cloudy Sunday afternoon finale. Senior infielder Hunter Hargrove and freshman designated hitter John McMillon both recorded multi-hit games, Hargrove’s 10th of the year to tie for the team lead. Hargrove also picked up a run scored, while McMillon drove in a run with an RBI single.
The Red Raiders improved to 6-0 in games sophomore righty Ryan Shetter got the start. The Friendswood native tossed 4.2 innings, giving up only one run on two hits, striking out five. It was the third time this season he has allowed just one run, setting a season-low for hits given up.
Tech’s starting pitching over the weekend was outstanding, putting together a combined 16.2 innings of work, giving up just one earned run and seven hits, while striking out 18 Shockers.
Junior left-hander Jacob Patterson took over with two outs in the fifth on Sunday, going 2.1 innings of one-hit ball to grab his fourth win of the year. Freshman righty Caleb Kilian picked up the two-inning save, the first of his career, striking out one in the eighth inning.
Over the three games, the Red Raiders never trailed, scoring at least once in the first three innings to set the early tone. Overall, Tech outscored Wichita State, 18-7, keeping the Shockers to one run in each of the last two games.
The Red Raiders struck first in the top of the second with two runs. With one away, Michael Berglund’s grounder was controlled by the diving Shocker first baseman, but his flip to the pitcher skied over his head, allowing Berglund to reach. Tech made them pay for it, as a walk to Grant Little put two on and a single from Brian Klein to left-center field drove in Berglund for the 1-0 lead. With runners on the corners and two out, McMillon poked a single through the left side, scoring Little to push Tech’s advantage to 2-0.
Wichita State got one back in the bottom of the third as Klusener picked up a one-out double to center field. Before the hit, Shetter had retired the first seven batters of the game. With two gone, Jackson pushed a single to center to drive in Klusener and cut the deficit in half at 2-1.
Tech plated another in the sixth after Hargrove began the frame with a single to left field. After swiping second & third, a wild pitch scooted Hargrove across home and rewarded the base running to give Tech a 3-1 lead.
Next up, the Red Raiders return home to face Texas Southern on March 28-29 at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
(Courtesy Texas Tech Sports Information Department)
