LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech outlasted East Carolina 3-1 in 13 innings Saturday to force a deciding third game in the NCAA Super Regional at Dan Law Field.
East Carolina (38-22-1) and Texas Tech (45-18) will meet Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPNU with a trip to the College World Series at stake.
The teams played to a 1-1 stalemate through nine innings as Texas Tech took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning before East Carolina tied in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Travis Watkins.
East Carolina appeared poised to win it in the bottom of the ninth as the Pirates’ first two batters reached on a base hit and a walk. But The Red Raiders escaped the jam with a pair of flyouts and a strikeout to send the game to extra innings.
The Pirates again threatened in the bottom of the 12th inning as a pair of base hits and an intentional walk loaded the bases with two outs. But Texas Tech again wiggled out of the inning with a grounder to second base.
The Red Raiders got the go-ahead runs in the top of the 13th on a two-run single up the middle by Eric Gutierrez, the Big 12 Player of the Year.
East Carolina had 12 hits and drew six walks, but left 14 men on base, including eight after the start of the eighth inning. The top five hitters in the Pirate lineup accounted for eight of the 12 hits.
Texas Tech pitcher Robert Duggar earned the win, improving to 6-0 after he allowed two hits and struck out five in five shutout innings. Tanner Gardner was 3-for-6 for the Red Raiders.
Pirate pitchers Matt Bridges and Joe Ingle combined to work 7.2 innings of two-hit, shutout relief. Starter Jimmy Boyd went 5.1 innings and struck out five while allowing one run and three hits. Sam Lanier took the loss for East Carolina, falling to 2-2.
2016 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
Super Regional · Lubbock, Texas (Series tied, 1-1)
Friday, June 10
East Carolina 8, Texas Tech 6
Saturday, June 11
Texas Tech 3, East Carolina 1 (13 innings)
Sunday, June 12 (if necessary)
East Carolina at Texas Tech (ESPNU) 3 p.m.
all times Eastern