Baseball swept by Texas Tech in 3-game series

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    By David Headrick

    After an unusual snowstorm swept into Lubbock, Texas, postponing the baseball season opener Thurs., Jan. 24, the Texas Tech Red Raiders swept the Cougars in a three-game series Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26.

    Twenty-third ranked Texas Tech jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning of game one of Friday”s doubleheader, which was rescheduled after Thursday”s storm.

    The Cougars, 0-3, added the next three runs.

    In the fifth inning, center fielder Doug Jackson walked and advanced on outfielder Cameron Coughlan”s single. Jackson advanced to third on a double play ground out off the bat of outfielder Matt Carson. And sophomore Dave Jensen hit a single to center field that sent Jackson home.

    Kainoa Obrey hit a two-run double in the seventh inning. His double extended his 13-game hitting streak and lifted the Cougars to a 6-4 lead. Obrey”s streak ended after a back injury kept him from playing in game two of the series.

    All-American Nick Blankenship sealed the Red Raiders” 8-6 victory with a home run in the eighth inning.

    In game two of Friday”s double-header, the Cougars jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

    Coughlan scored the first run when he and Carson made a double steal, then scored off Jensen”s ground out to second.

    Second baseman Han Yi, Jackson and Jensen all scored in the third inning.

    Yi walked to lead off the inning, then advanced on Jackson”s double. Coughlan”s single sent Yi home. Carson hit a sacrifice fly to send Jackson home.

    Jensen”s home run extended the lead to 4-0.

    Coughlan stole three bases and pitcher Ryan Adams gave up only six hits in six innings, recording a 1.5 ERA in a game two 5-6 Cougar loss.

    In the final game of the series, the Cougars jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead.

    Jensen continued his hitting streak to ten games as he doubled in the first inning, sending Jackson and Carson home.

    That was the last time the Cougars scored.

    The third inning featured a grand slam from All-American Nick Blankenship to give the Red Raiders” a 5-2 lead.

    Texas Tech swept the series winning the third game 10-2.

    Head coach Vance Law said he was discouraged and a little frustrated about the three-game loss.

    “I”m certainly not discouraged with the effort we had,” he said. “We just didn”t hold the lead in the first two games.”

    Law said batters Jensen .385, Coughlan .385, Carson .500 and Jackson all batted well.

    Jensen, Coughlan and Carson each had five hits during the series.

    Jackson, who leads the Cougars with a .545 batting average and 6 hits, said the team needs to improve its defense.

    “We”re all starting to get a feel for the team,” he said. “We just got to learn how to hold teams back.”

    The Cougars led at least once in each game, but could not hold off the Red Raiders” offense.

    “When we score, we can”t let them score,” Jackson said.

    Law said the Cougars need to continue to build on their offensive momentum.

    “We need to develop more of a killer instinct,” Law said, “build on the lead.”

    “I”m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

    The Cougars are looking to improve their record to 3-3 as they travel to Cal-Irvine to play another three-game series. Thursday, Jan. 31, and Friday, Feb. 1, games start at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m.

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