Hughes Powers Texas Tech to Sunday Split with Clutch Hit, Highlight-Reel Catch

LUBBOCK, TX – Logan Hughes homered, drove in the go-ahead runs with a late double and made a diving catch for the final out to help Texas Tech salvage a 12-8 win in the nightcap of a Sunday doubleheader against Cincinnati at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

The Red Raiders (9-19, 5-7 Big 12) fell 7-1 in the morning game and had previously dropped the series opener in extra innings, but rallied late to avoid a sweep. The Bearcats (19-12, 6-6) saw a late lead slip away after a five-run seventh inning gave them an 8-7 advantage.

Tech wasted no time jumping ahead in the finale, with a solo home run from Damian Bravo and a three-run shot from Davis Rivers staking the Red Raiders to a 4-0 lead after one inning. Bravo finished the day 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Hughes extended the lead to 5-1 in the third with a 409-foot solo shot off the batter’s eye in center field. Tech starter Zane Petty turned in six strong innings, allowing three runs and striking out six to exit with a 7-3 lead.

Cincinnati stormed back in the seventh with five runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Cal Sefick and a squeeze bunt by Christian Mitchelle to take an 8-7 lead.

After a pair of singles and a wild pitch allowed the tying run to score, Hughes delivered again, smoking a two-run double into the right-field corner to put the Red Raiders up 10-8. Antonelli Savattere and Dylan Maxcey added RBI singles to pad the lead.

With two outs in the ninth, Mitchelle lined a ball into the left-center gap that looked destined for extra bases, but Hughes closed the game in style with a full-extension diving catch.