No. 9 Stanford never let up in its relentless attack on the Red Raiders and the result was one of the most impressive postseason series performances in the program's history.
The Cardinal will be back in Omaha for the first time since 2008, but it has been much longer than that since Stanford so completely dominated a national seed at this level of postseason play.
Alex Williams threw a complete game, two-hit masterpiece and he was in danger of losing his grip on the Red Raiders offense exactly once. He hit a batter and gave a up a walk in the fifth, but he got three straight outs and roared his war cry on his way back to a dugout of celebrating teammates.
Brock Jones then slammed the door shut on Texas Tech's hopes that their powerful lineup still had time to rally.
Jones drove in six runs with three home runs and scored what at the time felt like a critical run when he sprinted home from second on what we'll call a long infield single by Christian Robinson.
Here are some noteworthy facts from the series that are mind boggling:
- Jones' three home runs were one more than hits allowed by Williams.
- Two Red Raiders reached base: Cole Stilwell had the only two hits and a HBP and Easton Murrell walked.
- Williams owns two of Stanford's five complete games in 153 postseason games in program history.
- Stanford used only three pitchers in the Super Regional.
- Williams and Brendan Beck both allowed only one walk.
- Texas Tech's Jace Jung hit 21 home runs this season and was the Big 12 Player of the Year, but was limited to one hit in the Super Regional.
Two years ago Stanford was overwhelmed in the face of one of the most imposing home field advantages in college baseball. Three years ago a loaded Cardinal team — probably the best from top to bottom of this recent run — crash landed at home against Cal State Fullerton. This year's group embraced an underdog mentality and managed to play loose no matter the circumstances, and that made all the difference.
Texas Tech looked a lot like the Stanford teams I watched wind themselves up so tight in the back to back regional losses to Cal State Fullerton, that the hitters in particular looked unrecognizable compared to the regular season. Those Stanford teams had great lineups but looked completely outmatched by good but not overpowering Fullerton pitchers. Similarly, the Red Raiders never looked comfortable against Beck and Williams and could not figure them out.
Press Conference Videos
Alex Williams and Brock Jones
David Esquer
Texas Tech Press Conference
The Cardinal will be back in Omaha for the first time since 2008, but it has been much longer than that since Stanford so completely dominated a national seed at this level of postseason play.
Alex Williams threw a complete game, two-hit masterpiece and he was in danger of losing his grip on the Red Raiders offense exactly once. He hit a batter and gave a up a walk in the fifth, but he got three straight outs and roared his war cry on his way back to a dugout of celebrating teammates.
Brock Jones then slammed the door shut on Texas Tech's hopes that their powerful lineup still had time to rally.
Jones drove in six runs with three home runs and scored what at the time felt like a critical run when he sprinted home from second on what we'll call a long infield single by Christian Robinson.
Here are some noteworthy facts from the series that are mind boggling:
- Jones' three home runs were one more than hits allowed by Williams.
- Two Red Raiders reached base: Cole Stilwell had the only two hits and a HBP and Easton Murrell walked.
- Williams owns two of Stanford's five complete games in 153 postseason games in program history.
- Stanford used only three pitchers in the Super Regional.
- Williams and Brendan Beck both allowed only one walk.
- Texas Tech's Jace Jung hit 21 home runs this season and was the Big 12 Player of the Year, but was limited to one hit in the Super Regional.
Two years ago Stanford was overwhelmed in the face of one of the most imposing home field advantages in college baseball. Three years ago a loaded Cardinal team — probably the best from top to bottom of this recent run — crash landed at home against Cal State Fullerton. This year's group embraced an underdog mentality and managed to play loose no matter the circumstances, and that made all the difference.
Texas Tech looked a lot like the Stanford teams I watched wind themselves up so tight in the back to back regional losses to Cal State Fullerton, that the hitters in particular looked unrecognizable compared to the regular season. Those Stanford teams had great lineups but looked completely outmatched by good but not overpowering Fullerton pitchers. Similarly, the Red Raiders never looked comfortable against Beck and Williams and could not figure them out.
Press Conference Videos
Alex Williams and Brock Jones
David Esquer
Texas Tech Press Conference
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