Texas Tech Is Super in NCAA Regional Sweep
In 2017, Texas Tech hosted an NCAA Regional and won the first two games before losing two straight to Sam Houston State. They refused to let that happen in 2018, closing out Louisville 11-6 in dramatic fashion.
Texas Tech was coasting through five innings thanks in large part to the arm of Davis Martin, who had a vintage start and left the game scattering five hits and allowing only two runs, one of which was surrendered by Jose Quezada in relief.
Martin looked strong, despite taking a pitch off his ankle early in the game, leaving in the 6th inning after throwing just 66 pitches. Quezada and Caleb Freeman allowed Louisville some life in the 7th and 8th innings. Louisville climbed back into the game, making it a 9-6 Red Raider lead heading into the top of the ninth.
Texas Tech batted first in the inning as the road team in Lubbock, and the MVP of the weekend, Zach Rheams, added an insurance blast, running his daily total up to 4-4 with five RBIs and three runs. The home run was his second of the day.
After a throwing error by the center fielder that allowed Cam Warren to get a triple, Cody Farhat would get an RBI and push the Red Raider lead back to five at 11-6.
Ty Harpeneau, the only pitcher to get multiple appearances for the Red Raiders, would come in and shut Louisville down in the bottom of the ninth using just 10 pitches.
Here's a look at the final out:
Texas Tech played well all weekend, with great pitching performances from Ryan Shetter, Caleb Killian, Davis Martin and Ty Harpeneau. The offense was also impressive with Zach Rheams, the Lubbock Regional MVP and company, scoring 30 runs on a route through New Mexico State and Louisville.
The Red Raiders will now move on to the Super Regional round and will either be traveling to Athens, Georgia to host the Georgia Bulldogs in a best of three series or they will host the Duke Blue Devils in a best of three right here in Lubbock.
The Athens Regional has dealt with weather issues and will play Monday at 12 p.m., with another game following if necessary.