Sports

Tech Baseball Beats Kansas

Texas Tech Baseball teams throws up their guns after a successful game two against Kansas.

Texas Tech Baseball Beats Kansas, Now Looking Forward to Baylor

Texas Tech Baseball beats Kansas and will now look towards the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship with the regular season now over. The Red Raiders ended up placing behind TCU and Texas in the standings. After beating the two, the finish happened due to losing series to Baylor and Kansas State. 

        After finishing up the last Big 12 Conference regular-season series against Kansas, the Texas Tech Baseball team will face Baylor in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. In the rematch, the Red Raiders will look to get revenge and have the chance to for the Big 12 Championship while doing so. 

Kansas Series

        In the last regular-season Big 12 Conference series for the Texas Tech Baseball team, the Red Raiders took on the Kansas Jayhawks. The Jayhawks, who are having a down season, are looking to create an upset, but the Red Raiders had different plans in a must-win series. 

        The three-game series was played at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park in Lubbock, Texas. It began on Thursday, May 20th, followed by the second game on Friday, May 21st. The series finale of the three-game series was then scheduled to play Saturday, May 22nd. 

Kansas Series Game One 

        In the series opener, the Kanas Jayhawks stole one from the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In self-conflicted injuries, the team has three errors after a solid start to the game. The first inning of the contest, the Red Raiders jumped up to an early 3-0 lead. But would only go on to score once more in eight more innings. The strong start was led by pitcher Patrick Monteverde who had ten strikeouts in just over six innings. 

        With an early 3-0 lead, the Jayhawks, with a slow start, would then respond in the seventh inning with five scores to put them atop 5-3. Now trailing, the Red Raiders would respond with a single score in the eighth, making the contest 5-4. Unfortunately, in the last inning, the Jayhawks would capitalize on the Red Raider’s mistakes. By scoring another two runs to top the Red Raiders 7-4. 

Kansas Series Game Two 

        In the second game of the series, Texas Tech Baseball established any doubt who the better team was. The win was fueled by solid batting throughout the game and a strong pitching performance by Micah Dallas. The now ranked No. 5 Red Raiders started strong again but were able to keep it up through the entire contest. 

        In the first inning, Texas Tech began with a four-score inning compared to the Jayhawks two. Then in the next four innings, the team would go onto rack nine more scores to take a commanding 13-2 lead. Now with apparent control of the game, the Red Raiders would only respond with two more runs in the eighth innings to fall 13-4 to tie the series 1-1. 

        The win was aided by the Jayhawks having two errors in the contest, but that isn’t to downplay the Red Raiders making a mistake of their own. When at the plate to bat, the Jayhawks allowed 17 walks in the game. Then behind already, the Red Raiders put on a clinic when up to bat. That vaulted them to the win. 

Kansas Series Game Three

        In a solid series finale, the Texas Tech Red Raider Baseball Team put away the Kansas Jayhawks. At the beginning of the contest, the Red Raider Chase Hampton came ready to play. The first six innings for Hampton were flawless, with him serving the Jayhawks a no-hitter. He was then backed by Derek Bridges, Connor Queen, and Brendan Girton. Who did not allow a score while allowing hits. With a solid defensive outing, the No. 5 Red Raiders would go on to be able to shutout the Jayhawks in their fourth of the season. 

        On the other side of the ball, the Red Raiders had one score innings. In both the second and eighth inning and then exploded in the eighth with three scores. Now with five scores, the Red Raiders would handily beat the Jayhawks 5-0. Which in turn would go onto win the series 2-1. 

Looking, Ahead Baylor

        With the Big 12 Conference Regular Season behind them, the Texas Tech Red Raiders turn their attention to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship. After getting runner up in the Big 12 Conference regular season, the team is now scheduled to play Baylor. The tournament is scheduled to begin Wednesday, May 26th, last through Sunday, May 30th, and be in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at Bricktown Ballpark. 

        In the first matchup between the two in a regular-season three-game series. The Texas Tech Red Raiders fell in a home game series. In their only series loss at home of the season, the Red Raiders will look to turn things around in Oklahoma City. 

Keys to Beating Baylor

        If the Red Raiders are going to beat the Bears, they will need solid play on either side of the ball. On the defensive side of the ball, the team will need to minimize their errors. They can do so by improving communication all around and keeping their composure. By keeping their composure and staying levelheaded, the Red Raiders will have a chance to sweep the series with all the improvement through the last few weeks. 

        On the offensive side of the ball, the team will need to hit consistently and make big plays while doing so. If the Red Raiders, through nine innings, can add points consistently, they could take advantage of inconsistent pitching on the Baylor side. Then the Red Raiders have their big-time playmakers such as Jace Jung, Dru Baker, and Cal Conley. 

Overview

        After a successful weekend at home, the Texas Tech Red Raiders beat the Kansas Jayhawks. By doing so, they were able to get runner-up in the Big 12 Conference and finish the regular season ranked at No. 5 in the nation. With the momentum on their side, the Red Raiders will play the Baylor Bears. After losing their only series loss at home to the Bears. The Red Raiders will come out looking to prove a point who should have been the Big 12 Conference Champion. The Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship is slated to begin Wednesday, May 26th through Sunday, May 30th, at Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. You can tune in to watch the game on ESPNU or listen to Texas Tech Sports Network. 

For more Texas Tech Sports articles checkout: https://campuslivettu.com/

For the rest of Texas Tech Baseballs season schedule checkout: https://texastech.com/sports/baseball/schedule/2021

By Campus Live Intern Trinity Porter

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