June 7, 2014

Red Raiders Win Defensively

By Hannah Hipp

Special to CollegeBaseballInsider.com

@hipphannah

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock said he was hoping for an offensive spark in today’s Super Regional game against the College of Charleston, but instead got a defensive battle ending in a 1-0 victory.

The Red Raiders (44-19) finished the game with five hits out of 26 at-bats, bringing only one runner across home plate. The Cougars (44-18) had four hits out of 29 at-bats, and had only one player who reached third base.

“The big difference in the ballgame was we failed to execute offensively,” said College of Charleston head coach Monte Lee. “We played a good game defensively and we pitched extremely well.”

The Cougars went 3-0 to claim the Gainesville Regional title, earning them the advancement to the Super Regionals.

The Red Raiders scored the game’s only run on an RBI triple by Tyler Neslony, plating Stephen Smith in the third. A botched catch in the outfield allowed Smith to reach home with no problem.

College of Charleston’s starting pitcher, Taylor Clarke, pitched the entire game for the Cougars, recording three strikeouts and one walk.

Charleston’s Brandon Glazer reached third base twice, but was tagged out at home both times -- once on a fielder's choice by shortstop Tim Proudfoot in the third and by Sadberry in the eighth.

“It was a bad decision on my part,” Glazer said of his choice to run home after a single by teammate Champ Rowland.

Chris Sadberry, the starting pitcher for the Red Raiders, pitched a season-high eight innings, recording another season-high eight strikeouts.

“I went out there with the attitude to attack the hitters with my fastball and be aggressive,” Sadberry said.

Jonny Drozd came in for the save in the ninth.

This was the first game of a potential three-game series in Lubbock, with the winner qualifying for the College World Series in Omaha.

This is Texas Tech’s first appearance in the Super Regionals, and College of Charleston’s second appearance.

“We know what’s on the line,” Lee said. “We’re still alive, we’re still playing, and if we win tomorrow it’s anyone’s guess as to what’s going to happen in game three.”

Texas Tech catcher Hunter Redman (1 for 3, RBI) was involved on several defensive plays, including a diving catch near home plate in which he collided with the padding on the wall behind him.

Redman and Sadberry were selected in the eighth and sixth rounds, respectively, in the MLB draft yesterday, but both players said this had little effect on their performance in the game.

“I came out with an edge just like the rest of the team,” Redman said. “I’m blessed to be able to be out here doing this.”

A Rip Griffin Park-record 4,811 fans were in the stands for the game, and the Texas Tech players said this was a motivating factor for the team, which holds a 32-4 record at home.

The Cougars players said it was not a factor, and they will be ready to go for the next game.

“I feel really confident in our chances tomorrow,” Clarke said. “We’ve bounced back from losses earlier in the season and this is just like bouncing back from anything else.”

The Red Raiders and Cougars will meet again on Sunday in the second game of the series, set to begin at 2 p.m. CT in Lubbock.