LUBBOCK, Tex. — Duke’s bid to return to the College World Series for the first time since 1961 came up one game short Monday, as the Blue Devils fell 6-2 to Texas Tech in the third and deciding game of their Super Regional series.
The Red Raiders hit three home runs, then broke the game open by scoring twice in the eighth to end a season in which Duke set program records for wins in a season and tied a program mark with seven Major League draft choices.
The Blue Devils (45-18) never led in the game and yet despite long balls from Gabe Holt, Michael Davis and Brian Klein, they only trailed 4-2 going into the eighth.
Although Duke loaded the bases in the top of the inning, it was unable to score. Texas Tech then made the most of its scoring opportunity in the bottom half, scoring twice to finally break the game open and deny coach Chris Pollard’s team a trip to Omaha.
Jimmy Herron led the Blue Devils with three hits and two RBI while Griffin Conine went 2 for 3 with a double. Matt Dockman, the second of six Duke pitchers, did not retire a batter while allowing Davis’ two-run homer to take the loss.