Texas Tech and West Virginia Split Opening Games of Big 12 Series
The Big 12 baseball action heated up in Lubbock this past weekend as Texas Tech and No. 17 West Virginia traded victories in the opening games of their series at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park. After a high-scoring offensive explosion from the Mountaineers on Friday, the Red Raiders responded with a dominant defensive performance on Saturday to level the series.
Mountaineers Surge in High-Scoring Friday Opener
West Virginia University opened the series with a commanding 12-8 victory on Friday, April 10. The Mountaineers utilized a potent attack to overcome Texas Tech, improving their overall record to 23-7 and their conference standing to 9-4. The Red Raiders fell to 19-14 (5-8 in the Big 12) following the loss.
Key Offensive Performances
- Tyrus Hall: The junior went 3-for-3 with two RBI, including an RBI single in the second inning that helped spark the WVU lead.
- Matt Ineich: Provided the definitive blow in the ninth inning with a three-run double.
- Paul Schoenfeld: Contributed three hits and a critical defensive play in the second inning, throwing out a potential tying run at the plate from center field.
- Sean Smith: Drove in two runs, highlighted by a two-run double in the seventh inning.
- Matthew Graveline: Added two RBI with a single in the ninth inning.
Pitching and Game Flow
Junior Dawson Montesa earned the win, pitching 7.0 innings and recording five strikeouts. Despite allowing five runs against a high-powered Texas Tech offense, Montesa provided the stability needed for the WVU offense to pull away. The game remained competitive through the eighth inning when Texas Tech tied the score at 6-6, but West Virginia exploded for six runs in the top of the ninth to secure the win [WVU Athletics].
Texas Tech Bounces Back to Level Series
The Red Raiders quickly recovered from Friday’s loss, shutting down the No. 17 ranked Mountaineers on Saturday, April 11. In a stark contrast to the previous night’s slugfest, Texas Tech controlled the game from the start, defeating West Virginia 4-1 [Daily Toreador].
Key Takeaways from the Series Opener
| Stat/Detail | West Virginia (Game 1) | Texas Tech (Game 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 12 | 8 |
| Hits | 14 | 15 |
| Errors | 1 | 4 |
| Winning Pitcher | David Perez (2-1) | N/A |
| Losing Pitcher | N/A | Heeryun Han (0-2) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the games being played?
The series is taking place at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park in Lubbock, Texas.
What is West Virginia’s current ranking?
West Virginia entered the series ranked No. 17 in the nation.
Who was the winning pitcher in the first game?
David Perez earned the win on Friday, improving his record to 2-1 [Texas Tech Athletics].
With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams head into the final matchups looking to claim the series victory and improve their standing within the Big 12 conference.
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