Technical Difficulties

LUBBOCK, Texas – UC-Riverside first baseman Mark Samuelson went 4-for-5 while Drew Garcia and Daniel Pellegrino each added two RBIs to lift the Highlanders to an 8-6 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday afternoon at Dan Law Field.

The loss snapped Tech’s streak of five straight midweek wins as the Red Raiders dropped to 12-11 on the season.  With the win, UC-Riverside improves to 6-12.

Junior right fielder Roger Kieschnick gave the Red Raiders an early 2-0 lead as he deposited a two-run home run that bounced off the scoreboard in right-center.  The home run came on the first offering by UCR starter Joe Kelly.

The Highlanders took advantage of a shaky second inning by Tech hurler Sam Janca as he gave up a walk, two singles and a hit batter to start the inning and they quickly grabbed a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. 

Missed opportunities was the theme of the day for the Red Raiders in all phases of the game as Tech committed two errors, allowed four stolen bases and walked four.  Offensively, Texas Tech never got on track as the five through nine hole hitters couldn’t come through in key situations and ended up stranding 10 base runners.

Tech had another chance at a ninth inning win as the Red Raiders got Kieschnick on with a one-out double and a walk by Doug Thennis.  That would be it for Tech in the game as UCR reliever D.J. Smith retired Taylor Ashby and Tanner Rindels on strikeouts to end the game.

Sam Janca (1-1) was charged with the loss in what was his first start of the season.  He gave up three runs on three hits and lasted just 1 2/3 innings.  Paul Applebee (1-4) earned the win in relief for the Highlanders as he pitched 5 1/3 effective innings allowing three runs on six hits.

Texas Tech returns to action on Friday evening as the Red Raiders open up a three-game series against second-ranked Missouri.  First pitch on Friday night is set for 6:05 p.m.

                                                                                                      R     H     E

UC-Riverside            030       211       010                               8      13   2

Texas Tech              200       021       010                               6      12   2

WP = Paul Applebee (1-4)

LP = Sam Janca (1-1)

SV = D.J. Smith (1)

GAME NOTES

·          UC-Riverside claimed its first-ever win in the series against Texas Tech and now trail overall 2-1.

·          Junior right fielder Roger Kieschnick hit his 11^th home run of the season and picked up RBIs 33 and 34.  His double in the bottom of the ninth gives him 48 in his Texas Tech career and that moves him into a tie with Keith Ginter who had 48 during his career between 1997-98.

--ttu--