LUBBOCK, TX — Texas Tech dropped its Big 12 series finale Sunday in heartbreaking fashion, falling 9-5 in 11 innings to TCU at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.
The Red Raiders (7-13, 4-2 Big 12) led 4-1 after three innings and 5-3 entering the seventh, but the Horned Frogs (17-7, 3-3) rallied to tie the game before taking control with four runs in the top of the 11th to claim victory.
TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider delivered the decisive blow, launching a two-run home run on a 1-2 slider from Texas Tech reliever Trendan Parish to give the Horned Frogs a 7-5 lead. The visitors tacked on two more runs with back-to-back doubles and a two-out bloop single to cap the four-run inning.
Parish (0-2), who had thrown three scoreless innings prior, was charged with the loss despite a solid outing. The right-hander allowed two earned runs over 4.2 innings, struck out five, and did not walk a batter.
The Red Raiders jumped ahead in the third with four runs, sparked by three straight singles from Tracer Lopez, Ryan and Thompson to tie the game at 1-1. Bravo followed with a three-run home run — his fourth of the season — to left field, giving Tech a 4-1 lead and chasing TCU starter Kole Klecker after 2.1 innings.
Texas Tech appeared poised to win in regulation after putting two runners on with no outs in the ninth. Freshman Coleman Ryan led off with a single, and Kyeler Thompson reached on a bunt single. But a popped-up bunt by Damian Bravo and a double-play grounder from Robin Villeneuve ended the threat.
Bravo finished 2-for-3 with a walk, a homer, and three RBIs. Thompson, Ryan and Lopez each recorded two hits and scored a run.
Tech starter Zane Petty went 3.2 innings and allowed three runs, all coming in the fourth when TCU cut the deficit to 4-3 on a two-run single from Strosnider.
The Red Raiders extended their lead to 5-3 in the sixth on Lopez’s second RBI single of the game. But Strosnider struck again in the seventh, tying the game with another two-run homer — his first of two on the day — off Tech reliever Logan Bevis.
TCU reliever Kade Eudy (3-0) earned the win with 2.1 scoreless innings and two strikeouts. The Horned Frogs bullpen held Texas Tech scoreless over the final five innings.
The Red Raiders lost Game 1 last Friday 13-2 before taking Game 2 7-6 on Saturday.
Texas Tech wraps up its four-game homestand Tuesday against Tarleton State. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Rip Griffin Park.
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