Tech Runs Past K-State in Series Finale

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech scored nine runs in the first inning to jump-start a 19-run day as the Red Raiders defeated Kansas State, 19-4, Sunday afternoon at Dan Law Field. With the win, Texas Tech salvaged the third game of the series and improved to 18-23 overall and 5-13 in Big 12 play. Kansas State dropped to 18-20 overall and 5-10 in conference play. With its wins on Friday and Saturday, K-State recorded its second-straight series victory over Tech.

Seven different Red Raiders recorded multi-hit games, while six Tech batters registered multi-RBI games. Roger Kieschnick paced the Texas Tech offensive attack, going 3-for-5 with five RBI, including a home run. Willie Rueda, Joey Kenworthy and Doug Thennis each recorded two-RBI days.

Texas Tech starter Nathan Karns held the Wildcat offense in check all afternoon as the right hander picked up the win after throwing 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while issuing two walks and striking out five.

Kansas State was led offensively by Byron Wiley, who was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. The junior finished the series going 3-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI. Jason King also recorded a multi-hit game, as the freshman went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Texas Tech roughed up K-State starter Chase Bayuk (1-4) and put the game away with a nine-run first inning. The Raiders started the game off with its first eight batters reaching base by way of four singles, one double, two walks and one error and all eight runners came around to score. Following a foul out, another error and two singles brought in another run to make the score 9-0.

Tech grabbed another two runs in the second. Monk Kreder hit a one out single and then scored from first on a two-out triple by Chris Hall. Hall then scored on a single by Rueda to make the score 11-0.

The Raiders scratched across another three runs in the third inning. Thennis and Chris Richburg recorded back-to-back doubles, the latter scoring Thennis. Jason Seefeld followed with a RBI triple and then Kieschnick brought home Seefeld on a single to push the lead out to 14-0.

Kansas State scored its first run of the game in the fifth inning. After Daniel Dellasega reached on a fielder’s choice, Brett Scott singled down the right field line to move Dellasega to third. Jordan Cruz then laced a ball into centerfield to score Dellasega.

Texas Tech came back with another five runs in the bottom half of the inning on a three-run home run by Kieschnick and three-straight singles, which brought around another two runs to push the margin to 19-1.

Wiley drove in another two runs for Kansas State on his second double of the series, scoring King and Drew Biery. Willey was followed with a hit-by-pitch and a walk to load the bases and then Dane Yelovich forced a walk to bring home another run to make the game 19-4