Another One Bites The Dust

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech had runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the ninth but pinch runner Taylor Ashby was picked off at second and the momentum quickly went the way of the Sooners as Oklahoma logged a 3-2 series clinching win on Sunday afternoon at Dan Law Field.

The loss drops Texas Tech to 21-25 overall and to 6-15 in Big 12 play while Oklahoma improves to 28-17-1 and 6-11-1 in the league.

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, freshman catcher Monk Kreder delivered a leadoff single to left-center to get the tying run aboard.  Tech then went to the dugout for pinch runner Taylor Ashby who came in to run for Kreder at first base.  Junior center fielder Tanner Rindels then reached on a fielding error by OU first baseman Aaron Baker to give the Red Raiders runners at first and second.  Things then turned ugly for the Red Raiders as Ashby was picked off at second and suddenly the momentum shifted back to Oklahoma. Sooner reliever Chase Anderson then retired pinch hitter Logan Leslie on a foul fly and then induced Joey Kenworthy into a pop up that ended the game.

The Sooners jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when third baseman Trey Sperring drove in Spencer Shelby with a double to left center and Jamie Johnson plated J.T. Wise with a single through the left side.

Tech scratched out a single run in the bottom of the fourth when Kreder delivered an RBI single through the left side that brought home first baseman Jason Seefeld. Seefeld reached on a one-out throwing error by Sperring.

The Red Raiders came back and tied the game in the next half inning when Chris Richburg dropped an RBI single into left field that plated Doug Thennis who reached on a two-out walk.

Oklahoma took the decisive 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh when Wise drove a ball through the left side with the bases loaded that scored Mike Gosse.  Gosse reached on a lead off single and moved to third on an error by Seefeld.

Brian Cloud (1-2) was saddled with the loss for the Red Raiders as he surrendered one run on two hits and logged three innings of relief work.  Chase Anderson picked up the win in relief as he tossed four shutout frames to improve to 4-3 on the year.

Texas Tech will take the next nine days off (final exams) before suiting up again for what will be one of three remaining non-conference games that are left on the schedule.  The Red Raiders will face Dallas Baptist at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 and then travel to Stillwater for a three-game series against Oklahoma State May 9-11. 

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Oklahoma                 000       200       100                               3      6      3

Texas Tech              000       110       000                               2      6      2

WP = Chase Anderson (4-3)

LP = Brian Cloud (1-2)

SV = None

(Courtesy: Texas Tech)