Texas Tech Drops Game 2 and Series to Kansas State 4-3

Freshman David Paiz went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple and scored twice, but it wasn’t enough as Texas Tech dropped game two 4-3 at Kansas State Friday night at Tointon Family Stadium. Texas Tech (24-17, 6-11 BIG 12) held an early 2-0 lead before Kansas State (23-15, 7-10 BIG 12) scored a pair of runs in the third and fourth innings to win its second in a row over the Red Raiders this weekend.

Red Raiders starting pitcher Trey Masek (2-3) took the loss pitching five innings allowing four runs on five hits with four walks. K-State starting pitcher Kyle Hunter (4-3) earned the win pitching 5.1 innings allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and walked three. Reid Redman gave Tech a 1-0 lead with a safety squeeze bunt, which scored Paiz, who tripled to lead off the second inning. Later in the frame, Jamodrick McGruder singled through the right side to score Kevin Whitehead, giving Tech a 2-0 lead.

The Wildcats had two straight singles start their third inning, as both came around to score to tie the game. The following inning, Texas Tech starting pitcher Trey Masek allowed back-to-back walks to start the inning, as both runners came around to score on an RBI groundout to second base and on an RBI single to left field.

Paiz reached base with a double in the sixth inning and scored on Redman’s single through the left side to bring Tech within one run. But a double play would end the sixth and Tech then sent nine batters to the plate in the final three innings. No Red Raider reached second base following the sixth inning. Kansas State closer James Allen pitched the ninth inning to tally his second save of the series and the 11th save of the season.

Texas Tech and Kansas State will conclude their three-game series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch at Tointon Family Stadium.