The rivalry between Texas Tech and Texas is long, storied, and goes across multiple sports. On Friday, Red Raiders baseball players provided one of the most memorable moments in the rivalry’s history.
With the game tied in the bottom of the 10th inning, things looked pretty good for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders had runners on second and third, needing only a base hit to win the game. But with two outs, Texas Tech hitter Dillon Carter was down 0-2 in the count. At that point, Kurt Wilson, the runner on third, decided to take matters into his own hands.
STOLEN BASE WINNERRRRRRRR OMG
Texas Tech defeats Texas, @Kurtwilson14 wow!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tphFlRiUeQ
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) March 26, 2022
Any attempted steal of home is going to be gutsy. But a runner has a much better chance of catching a left-handed pitcher — with his back to third base — off guard. As you can plainly see, Longhorns pitcher Aaron Nixon is not a lefty. He just got a little too focused on the pitch and Wilson made him pay. We’re guessing he won’t make that mistake again.
One of the great images of this play is second-base runner, Owen Washburn, celebrating before Wilson even enters the frame. His Texas Tech teammates were similarly jubilant.
We’ll remember this one forever pic.twitter.com/4bdaDvUo42
— Texas Tech Baseball (@TTU_Baseball) March 26, 2022
Baseball fans liked what they saw from the play.
What. An. Incredible. Way. To. Win. A. Game. @TTU_Baseball steals 👀 game 1 against @TexasBaseball #GrowTheGame https://t.co/aaTddnDpb1
— Spittin Seeds (@SpittinSeeds247) March 26, 2022
Red Raider Legend! Right up there with Crabtree catch and McClung game winner! https://t.co/So6GK3LzVW
— Jeff Klose 🌵Public School Advocate (@jeffreyklose) March 26, 2022
This is great. Pitcher looking down the whole time and they picked up on it. https://t.co/MGqv9qN68J
— Cajun Jack (@CajunJack55) March 26, 2022
I mean, I hate how this ended up. 🤘🏼But as a fan of baseball, stealing home is pretty dang gutsy and impressive. Thanks for sharing @lepards 🙄 #hookem https://t.co/KDC5XIiwzo
— jmonies (@jmonies) March 26, 2022
@Kurtwilson14 just doing what legends do❗️❗️ https://t.co/asIMBpfQgU
— Cameron warren (@Cam_Warren24) March 26, 2022
Between this and what happened between Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, Friday was a good night for those who like old-school, inside baseball.
[Photo Credit: Big 12 Network, ESPN Plus]