Grant Little’s 5-for-5 day with two doubles, one triple and four RBIs helped #6 Texas Tech (16-2) beat #12 Louisville (14-2) 8-4 in game one of their mid-week series.
The Red Raiders, who entered today’s game ranked 19th nationally in batting average, scored their eight runs on 12 hits and nabbed a huge win after losing last weekend’s series against Kentucky. Little finished with a perfect 5-for-5 day at the plate, while Josh Jung was 3-for-4 and scored four of Texas Tech’s eight runs.
Tech scored first with a three-run fourth inning, capitalizing off of Louisville’s mistakes in the inning. An errant throw allowed Gabe Holt to score the first run. They would add two more runs after Cameron Warren was hit by a pitch and a walk from Michael Davis, both times with the bases loaded.
Similar to that, the Red Raiders allowed Louisville’s run in the bottom fourth on an error. Drew Campbell attempted a bunt to advance the runners, but an error by Tech allowed him to reach base while Logan Wyatt scored from second.
After Louisville made it on the board, Grant Little would drive in three more runs for Texas Tech; two on an RBI double in the sixth inning, and one on another RBI double in the seventh inning.
Louisville would cut into the lead with a run in the seventh inning, and two in the eighth. Jake Snider drove in an RBI single to left field in the seventh, then a bases-loaded walk and wild pitch in the eighth cut the deficit to 6-4 heading into the ninth. Louisville still had the bases loaded in the bottom eighth, but Devin Mann was retired to close the inning.
Texas Tech would put the game away with two runs in the top of the ninth, after RBI hits from Grant Little and Cameron Warren. Warren finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs in the game.
At the plate for Louisville, Jake Snider led the Cardinals with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate, along with his RBI single and also hit a double in the first inning. Josh Stowers, Drew Campbell and Justin Lavey also recorded hits in the game for the Cardinals. Though Louisville also forced eight walks, they left 11 runners on base and couldn’t parlay it into runs.
Bryan Hoeing made his fourth weekday start of the season, finishing with 5.1 innings pitched and allowed four runs on eight hits. Nick Bennett made his first appearance since opening weekend, striking out five out of the ten batters he faced and allowed two runs in the ninth inning. Michael Kirian also made an appearance out of the bullpen for Louisville, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing only one hit and run each.
Louisville will close the weekday doubleheader tomorrow at noon against the Red Raiders.
