After winning the series opener on Friday, Texas Tech imploded in the second game to set up a rubber match on Sunday afternoon. Tech took the opportunity and kicked it square in the teeth, winning on Sunday 3-1.

It was Texas Tech's fifth Big 12 Conference series victory of the season and it kept the Red Raiders in the lead of the Big 12. The lead is three games over TCU, and Oklahoma State is two games back after sweeping Texas over the weekend.

Texas Tech used Ty Damron to open the game and he hurled five innings giving up one run before the bullpen came in and shut it down for the final four frames. It was Damron's first Big 12 start and he seemed to be able to answer some questions the weekend rotation had after two bad weekend finales in a row.

The only run Damron allowed was after he had left the game in the 6th. That wasn't without hard work, as he stranded seven toads in his time on the mound.

Hayden Howard used a pair of double plays to shut down the Horned Frogs over the next 3.2 innings as he allowed just a Dane Steinhagen one-out single in the ninth to go along with two walks and a strikeout.

Parker Mushinski recorded Tech’s final out for his first career save as the left-hander forced pinch hitter Michael Landestoy to line out to Stephen Smith in right field with two Horned Frogs in scoring position in the ninth.

Clutch.

Tech scored two in the third off a Hunter Hargrove RBI ground out and a sacrifice fly from Eric Gutierrez.

Texas Tech Baseball- Eric Gutierrez- 040816
Ashley Wirz, 1340TheFan.com
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Tyler Neslony had three out of six of Tech's hits and closed the series with a team-leading .636 average. He also got to 42 RBIs this weekend, which is tied for the Big 12 lead with Eric Gutierrez.

The Red Raiders play next this weekend in Lawrence against the Kansas Jayhawks.

If you are into things like Magic Numbers, Texas Tech's is four.

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