Tech Baseball Shutout in Series Opener
By: KLBK Sports Staff
Updated: March 22, 2013
LUBBOCK, Texas -
Texas Tech suffered a 2-0 shutout in its series opener at West Virginia
on Friday night while Mountaineer left-handed pitcher Harrison Musgrave
struck out 13 Red Raiders in 6.2 innings during WVU's first-ever Big 12
home game at Appalachian Power Park.
The
Red Raiders (15-9, 2-2 Big 12) also saw their 76 consecutive road game
scoring streak come to an end as Tech was shutout on the road for the
first time since 2010.
West Virginia (9-12, 2-2 Big 12) out-hit the Red Raiders 9-3 while not
committing an error in its Big 12 home opener.
Musgrave
(3-1) struck out at least two batters in five innings, including
striking out the side in the sixth while allowing only two base hits
during his third win
of the season.
Tech
starting pitcher Dominic Moreno (2-2) took the loss allowing two runs -
including a solo homer in the third - on seven hits with four
strikeouts and two walks.
In addition, Tech and WVU combined for just three base hits from the
fifth-to-ninth inning.
WVU
right fielder Brady Wilson ended a scoreless game in the third while
hitting his second home run of the season on a 3-1 pitch from Moreno
that landed over the
left-field wall. The Mountaineers added their second run in the
following inning with a leadoff walk, two bunt base hits and a throwing
error to take a 2-0 lead after four innings.
The
Red Raiders received their first base hit of the game in the third
inning on center fielder Brett Bell's single through the right side.
Tech left Bell and third
baseman Jake Barrios (HBP) stranded in scoring position in the third.
Tech
was retired in order in the fourth, as Musgrave got two swinging
strikeouts, and then Tech had three base runners in the fifth and sixth
innings combined, all
coming via walks from Musgrave.
Bell
notched Tech's second hit of the game with a two-out single through the
right side in the seventh, but was later picked off to end the inning.
The
Red Raiders best scoring opportunity late in the game came in the
eighth inning while second baseman Bryant Burleson reached on a single
down the left-field line
and pinch hitter Alec Humphreys walked. Following a lineout to center
field by first baseman Eric Gutierrez, freshman catcher Jarrard Poteete
reached base on a nine-pitch walk to load the bases with one out.
Sophomore
shortstop Tim Proudfoot followed with a strikeout and junior catcher
Mason Randolph grounded out to second base to end the eighth inning.
West
Virginia reliever Pascal Paul earned his third save of the season
pitching 2.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout to end the game.
Red
Raider freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Bethard pitched four
scoreless relief innings for Tech with just two hits allowed with five
strikeouts.
The
Red Raiders and Mountaineers will conclude their three-game series with
a doubleheader on Saturday, March 23, beginning at 1 p.m. ET at
Appalachian Power Park.
