Caleb Kilian Dominates as Texas Tech Eliminates Arkansas in College World Series
The Red Raiders had their backs against the wall in an elimination game against the Arkansas Razorbacks, and junior Caleb Kilian took the bump.
Kilian looked sharp early, but ran into a little trouble after slugger Heston Kjerstad popped a solo home run in the second inning. Kilian would give up two more runs in the third before settling in and cruising through the seventh inning, finishing with nine strikeouts.
On the offensive side through the first seven innings, power from Texas Tech got started when Cameron Warren hit a two-run home run in the 4th inning just after Josh Jung hit into a fielder's choice to get on base.
Easton Murrell, a former Razorback, would follow in the 5th inning with a solo shot into right field. Not to be outdone, Josh Jung would hit his own oppo taco with no one on base in the 6th inning to give Texas Tech its first lead in Omaha.
Dane Haveman would come into the game in relief of Caleb Kilian. Haveman would get a ground ball to start the inning then walk the next batter on a borderline pitch on a full count. After a single pushed the runner to third Haveman would get a fly ball that would get the second out but Kurt Wilson couldn't hose the guy at the plate.
John McMillon would come in for Haveman and get a strikeout to end the inning.
Texas Tech would bat in the 8th inning with a 4-4 tie on the scoreboard and the heart of the order coming up. Brian Klein would lead off with a single, but get cut down trying to steal second base. Josh Jung would strike out on the very next pitch.
Just as the momentum looked like it was shifting to Arkansas full throttle, Cam Warren would slam on the brakes with a walk. Cody Masters would step in the box with an 0-7 stat line in Omaha. That wouldn't matter, though, as Warren would break early, and Masters would hammer a ball off the wall in right center for an RBI triple that would give Texas Tech the lead back.
The Red Raiders would head into the 9th inning leading 5-4.
John McMillon would return to the game after throwing a .1 of an inning in the the 8th, but wouldn't record an out and bean the only batter he faced.
Enter Taylor Floyd. A single put a runner on first and second. A pop up at the pitcher's mound locked in the first out and keep the runners on their respective bases. A strikeout make the tension in the stadium palpable.
Two outs, two on with Matt Goodheart, the three-hole hitter at the plate.
Taylor Floyd would get a fly out to end the game.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders will face the loser of the Michigan-Florida State game on Wednesday, June 19th.