Gavin Kash had a third-inning double and three RBIs as the Texas Tech baseball team defeated No. 24 West Virginia 6-4 in the first game of a Big 12 home doubleheader on Sunday, clinching a crucial series victory. Ta.
Kash had four hits for Tech (28-13, 11-9) in a 15-2 win over the Mountaineers on Friday. West Virginia (23-15, 11-6) enters the series with a seven-game winning streak and the lead in the Big 12 in conference play.
WVU's JJ Weatherholt closed the gap to 5-4 with a two-run double in the 8th inning, and Tech's Austin Green walked the bases loaded in the 9th inning.
Tech relief pitcher Josh Saunders got the final two outs with the bases loaded and pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save.
Tech took the lead in the second inning with an RBI single by Dylan Maxey and a two-run double by Kash.
After WVU scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings off Mack Hoyer (4-3), Tech responded in the sixth inning with a home run by Cade McGee and an RBI double by Kash.
Three major developments are discussed here.
Related:Ryan Free, Austin Green contribute to WVU streak | Texas Tech baseball essentials
Adjust conference size:Oklahoma State maintains top spot | Big 12 Baseball Strength Rankings
Texas Tech boosts chances to advance to NCAA postseason
West Virginia finished 26th in the series and Texas Tech ranked 33rd in the RPI rankings, giving them consideration for the NCAA Tournament. A series win against a strong team will help the Red Raiders secure a position.
Red Raiders sign Derek Clark in an unusually short period of time
In this era of baseball, going into the sixth inning is acceptable for many pitchers. Not so with West Virginia starting pitcher Derek Clark (4-1), who has pitched nine innings in each of his past four appearances.
The Red Raiders went after Clark in the sixth inning after five of the first six batters of the inning reached him. After McGee's go-ahead home run and Maxcy's one-out single, Clark struck out Maxcy, emptying the bases.
But Tracer Lopez singled, Kash doubled, and TJ Pompey walked, ending Clark's day.
Texas Tech pitcher lives a dangerous life
West Virginia failed to convert on multiple chances. The Mountaineers loaded the bases in the fourth and fifth innings and scored just one run in each inning.
Hoyer got Brody Kresser to fly out in the fourth inning to load the bases, and in the fifth he coaxed an inning-ending double play from Reed Chumley.
In the sixth inning, Brendan Lysik hit consecutive batters with one out and struck out the next two batters. Parker Hatila struck out Kyle West with a double, ending a scoreless seventh inning.
