Tech Falls to CSUN in Game 2

LUBBOCK, Texas - Jorge Andrade Jr. went 4-for-5 with three RBIs to help Cal State Northridge rebound from a shutout on Friday evening as the Matadors evened this three-game series with an 8-3 win over Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field. The loss drops Texas Tech to 11-5 on the season while Cal State Northridge improves to 11-8. Cal State Northridge starter Jimmy Jolicour (4-1) baffled the Red Raiders for five innings as he held the Tech offense scoreless during that stretch and only allowed four hits. With Jolicour`s pitch count in the low 50`s going into the sixth inning and the Red Raiders trailing 5-0, they were finally able to get on the scoreboard as Tech plated three runs to pull within two. Matt Smith`s solo home run in the sixth marked the first run of the afternoon for the Red Raiders and his sixth homer run of the season. James Leverton drove in the second run with an RBI groundout and Ben Baker rounded out the scoring with an RBI double to left field that pulled Tech within two at 5-3. Cal State Northridge added solo runs in the final three innings of the game while relievers Mark Haderlein and Edwin Quirarte combined for 3 1/3 shutout innings of relief, allowing just one Texas Tech hit to seal the win. The Matadors scratched out two unearned runs in the top of the second due to a fielding miscue by Tech third baseman Ben Baker. Northridge pushed its lead to 4-0 in the top of the third when Jorge Andrade Jr. belted a two-run homer over the fence in right field. Colt Hynes was tagged with the loss for Texas Tech as he gave up four runs (two earned) on eight hits over four innings of work. Matt Smith and Geoff Byrns led the Tech offense with two hits each. Texas Tech will go for the series win on Sunday afternoon when the two teams meet for series finale at 1p.m. (texas tech release)