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Texas Tech Baseball Takes Doubleheader From West Virginia

By Matthew Conner

Jun 23, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders pitcher Erikson Lanning (21) pitches in the first inning against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders pitcher Erikson Lanning (21) pitches in the first inning against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Tech baseball team continued its strong play by sweeping a doubleheader from West Virginia on Saturday.

One of the most regurgitated adages in sports says that “You want to be playing your best at the end of the season.”  It appears that Tim Tadlocks’ Texas Tech baseball team is taking those words to heart as it swept a doubleheader at West Virginia on Saturday.

The two wins marked the Red Raiders’ fourth and fifth wins in the last six games.  Even more impressive is that those victories have come against tough competition.  Tech rode a three-game winning streak into this weekend by taking the final two games against then No. 2 TCU last weekend and a mid-week road game at Ohio State.

The twin bill on Saturday in Morgantown was necessary following the rain out of Friday’s series opener.  This was the second Texas Tech game rained out this week after Tuesday’s game against the Buckeyes was also cancelled.

In both instances, Tadlock’s young team displayed impressive maturity and discipline.  An interruption of a team’s routine can often have a negative impact on the players but the Red Raiders have battled through the adversity and handled the unexpected challenges impressively.

Saturday’s first game was a rare college baseball pitcher’s duel. Sophomore starter Erikson Lanning gave Texas Tech six shutout innings while allowing only two hits.  With the win, he moved to 3-1 on the season and his ERA fell to a superb 2.95.

He was supported by Jacob Patterson who tossed three scoreless innings to preserve the victory.  The Red Raider’s shutout was the team’s first of 2017.

The only offense in the game came in the top of the fifth.  Cody Farhat scored from third on a double by freshman Grant Little from Midland as Texas Tech won an unconventional game to open the series.


Saturday’s nightcap was also a nip-and-tuck affair.  And once again, the weather was a factor.

A rain delay of over an hour cut short Ryan Shetter’s start after four innings.  He gave up three runs in his 12th start of the season.

When the game resumed, the Texas Tech bullpen closed out the game with five scoreless innings.  This gave the Red Raider offense just enough time to rally.

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Tech scratched out single runs in its final two at bats of the night to come away with another 1-run win, this one being 4-3.  Once again Farhat was in the middle of the decisive play.

His ninth inning single scored Orlando Garcia from second to give Texas Tech the lead.  The sophomore center fielder from Plano had four hits in the doubleheader, including three in game two.

The wins helped Texas Tech stay within one game of No. 7 TCU for the top spot in the Big 12.  The Horned Frogs have taken the first two games of their home series against Texas this weekend.

With only one conference series remaining, each game is critical for the Red Raider’s regular season league title hopes.  Furthermore, each win moves Texas Tech closer to earning a top national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The series finale is set for today at noon CST.  Tadlock will send his ace, Steven Gingery to the mound in game three.

He was originally set to pitch last night but the expectation that a weather delay could cut his start short prompted Tadlock to push him back to this afternoon. On the season, the sophomore from California is 8-0 with a stellar 1.55 ERA.

Next: Tech Offers Two Prominent Out-of-State Recruits

The Red Raiders will look to keep the momentum rolling and sweep a very good West Virginia team as the push towards the postseason continues.  Wreck ‘Em Red will have full coverage of the series finale and the rest of what looks to be an exciting postseason run.

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