NORMAN – The #21 Red Raiders (25-12, 6-6) entered the game Sunday with a chance at securing a Big 12 series sweep over the Oklahoma Sooners (19-18, 4-8) but came home early as the home team walked it off in the eighth inning issuing a run-rule defeat to Texas Tech, their second Big 12 getaway day run-rule loss this season.
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Jacob Rogers (1-2) got the start, his first in Big 12 play and turned in a strong enough performance for the Red Raider team we’ve seen throughout the season to win. Rogers gave up 4 hits in his 4 innings of work, two of those were home runs, a solo shot, and a two-run blast. The freshman also issued six strikeouts in his first Big 12 start and retired the side in order in the first.
Unfortunately for Rogers, the Red Raider squad who showed up Sunday didn’t turn in the performance at the plate fans have become accustomed to this season. While they managed nine hits, five of them doubles, Tech was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, and both runs that scored were aided by Oklahoma errors.
Gage Harrelson and Kevin Bazzell continued to represent bright spots in the lineup. Harrelson went 3-4 with a double and run scored, he also stole a base. Bazzell was 2-4 with a double and an RBI. The double, coming in the third inning, bounced the left field fence and robbed Tech of a run as Nolen Hester was prepared to score the tying run from first base but was sent back to third as a result. The inning ended with the next batter leaving both stranded.
Both Harrelson and Bazzell were excellent at the plate all weekend long. Bazzell led the series for the Red Raiders slashing .571/.600/.786 with 3 doubles and 5 RBIs. Harrelson contributed a double, 2 triples, and 3 RBIs and was 1-1 on the basepaths. He slashed .533/.533/.867 on the weekend. Gavin Kash added another double to his stat line Sunday, along with 3 home runs over the weekend he had 9 RBIs and slashed .500/.533/1.333.
The first run was scored by Ty Coleman who single with one out in the first inning. Harrelson followed with a single and both executed a double steal. The throw down to third base from the plate skittered into the outfield and Coleman came charging home. He was tagged out on the basepath but was called safe as the catcher fully blocked the plate before receiving the ball, replay upheld the call.
Ty Coleman is speed.
He steals third and advances home to get us on the board in the first! pic.twitter.com/GVQKK7chPc
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) April 16, 2023
Multiple Tech pitchers entered in relief but struggled against the Oklahoma onslaught. Bryce Madron pounded two home runs en route to a four-hit day. Bo Blessie entered late with OU leading 10-2. He fanned the first two batters he faced but issued a two-out walk and Madron’s final dinger ended the day early as the run-rule was in effect on getaway day.
Tracer Lopez continued flashing the defense, making a tough play behind second base with an on-target turn and throw in the bottom of the second to end the frame.
The freshman just makes plays.@TracerLopez with another 💎 pic.twitter.com/mTeWI7R9tc
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) April 16, 2023
This marks the second time in 2023 Tech has been run-ruled in a Sunday sweep opportunity in Big 12 play, the other coming against Oklahoma State in Lubbock.
Despite the bad taste from the Sunday loss, the Red Raiders finish a tough road trip 3-2 after splitting in Palo Alsto with #8 Stanford and winning the Big 12 road series with the Sooners.
Texas Tech will return to Dan Law Field for a two-game stand against Grand Canyon (20-15). The Antelopes sit at #93 in the RPI and come to Lubbock after securing a series win in Abilene over Abilene Christian over the weekend. They are led by the children of two former MLB players. The shortstop Jacob Wilson (.468/.515/.694) is projected to go 9th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Outfielder Homer Bush, Jr. is slashing .410/.508/.563 and leads the team with 14 stolen bases this season.
The Tuesday game is slated for a 6:30 pm start and first pitch Wednesday is a 2:00 pm. Both games will be available on ESPN+ with the radio broadcast available on Double T 97.3 FM in Lubbock and on The Varsity App.
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