Kansas Rallies to Top No. 5 Tech in Series Opener

Thursday, May 20

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6:30 PM

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Kansas Rallies to Top No. 5 Tech in Series Opener

May 20, 2021 | Baseball

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Red Raiders will look to even the series when the two teams meet at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon

By: Ty Parker, Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – Kansas scored five unearned runs in the seventh inning Thursday evening to erase a three-run deficit and hand No. 5 Texas Tech a 7-4 loss in the series opener inside Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

The Jayhawks (30-24; 8-14) took advantage of a pair of Tech errors in the seventh to score five runs and then added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth to keep the Red Raiders (33-13; 12-10) winless in home series openers during Big 12 play this season. Tech has bounced back to win two of its three conference series thus far at home.

Kansas did the bulk of its damage with two outs in the inning as Kyler Messinger gave the Jayhawks their first lead with a two-run triple in the seventh followed by a two-run single from Dylan Ditzenberger in the ninth. The Jayhawks scored five of their seven runs in the win with two outs in the inning.

The loss spoiled a strong start from Tech starter Patrick Monteverde, who earned a no-decision after allowing two unearned runs off six hits and 10 strikeouts over his 6.1 innings. His 10 strikeouts marked a season-high, topping his previous mark of nine that was set on three different starts this year.

The Red Raiders provided Monteverde with an early 3-0 lead in the first thanks to a RBI double from Cole Stillwell followed immediately after by a two-run single from Cal Conley. Stillwell joined Jace Jung with multi-hit nights for the Red Raiders with each finishing 2-for-3 overall.

Jung provided the Red Raiders' only other run with a towering solo home run in the eighth, his team-leading 19th of the season, which moved him into sole possession of fifth all-time in Tech single-season history. It marks the most home runs by a Red Raider in a season since Josh Brady launched 20 out of the park during the 2004 campaign.

The home run to Jung was the lone mistake by Kansas reliever Nathan Barry (2-2), who picked up the win after surrendering just one hit over his two complete innings. Jonah Ulane tossed a perfect bottom of the ninth to close out the win for his 11th save of the season.

Ryan Sublette (6-3) took the loss for the Red Raiders after giving up three unearned runs off two hits, a pair of walks and three strikeouts over his 1.2 strikeouts. Tech combined for 14 strikeouts as a staff, marking the third time in its last four games to reach double digits.

UP NEXT
The Red Raiders will look to even the series in game two on Friday at 2 p.m. Texas Tech will hand the ball to right-handed pitcher Micah Dallas (3-2, 3.10 ERA) while Kansas will go with left-hander Eli Davis (6-5, 5.10 ERA). The game can be seen on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

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