Red Raiders even the series against Baylor with 5-3 win - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

5/15/10

Red Raiders even the series against Baylor with 5-3 win

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LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech became the second team in the Big 12 Conference to clinch a spot in the upcoming Big 12 Championships in Oklahoma City (May 26-30; Bricktown Ballpark) by virtue of a 5-2 win over Baylor in the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field.

The win gives Texas Tech a 27-23 overall record and a 13-10 mark in the Big 12 Conference and sets up a Sunday afternoon rubber match against Baylor (26-21; 8-13).  Sunday's game (1 p.m. CT) will decide the winner of this series and will be the final home game for seniors Michael Reed, Joey Kenworthy, Taylor Ashby and Bonham Hough. 

Freshman first baseman Barrett Barnes added to his freshman of the year resume in the bottom of the first when he blasted a two-run home run over the wall in right-center to give the Red Raiders an early 2-0 lead.  The home run was his 12th of the season and RBI's No. 47 and 48. 

A ball that ricocheted off the leg of Baylor starting pitcher Shawn Tolleson in the fourth inning, led to a an RBI base hit for Nick Popescu and then another run as Tolleson threw it way trying to get Popescu out at first and that allowed Reed to score from second.  The hit by Popescu and throwing error by Tolleson gave the Red Raiders a 4-0 lead. 

A costly fielding error by freshman second baseman Jamodrick McGruder in the sixth opened the door for the Bears as they plated two unearned runs and cut the deficit in half (4-2).  Cal Towey drove in the first run with an RBI triple while Max Muncy brought home the second with an RBI groundout. 

Tech starter Bobby Doran, who had held Baylor to just two runs on five hits through the first six innings, was replaced by Chad Bettis after allowing a leadoff single to Kenton Gedwed in the top of the seventh.  Baylor plated what turned out to be its final run of the game in the next at-bat as Raynor Campbell drove a ball to left-center that allowed Gedwed to score after stealing second. 

The Red Raiders answered the Baylor run in their half of the seventh as Reed drove an RBI single up the middle with two outs that brought home Barnes from second.  Barnes kept Tech alive in the frame when he reached on a two-out double to left. 

Bobby Doran (5-2) earned the win for Tech after holding the Bears to three runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings of work.  Chad Bettis tied the Texas Tech single-season school record with his 10th save as he held Baylor to just three hits over three innings of relief. 

 

                                                                                                      R     H     E

Baylor                        000       002       100                               3      9      1

Texas Tech              200       200       10x                               5      10   1

WP = Bobby Doran (5-2)

LP = Shawn Tolleson (2-6)

SV = Chad Bettis (10)

 

GAME NOTES

  • Texas Tech now stands at 27-23 on the season and at 13-10 in Big 12 Conference play.
  • Texas Tech becomes the second team in the league to clinch a spot in the upcoming Big 12 Conference Championships in Oklahoma City that will be held May 26-30 at Bricktown Ballpark.  Texas, which clinched a spot in the tournament three weeks ago, Texas Tech and Oklahoma are the only three teams that have qualified as of 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 15.  Tech's win over Baylor clinched a spot for the Sooners.
  • Texas Tech has now forced a rubber match in every single Big 12 series this year with the exception of one.  Texas A&M won the first two games of that series before the Red Raiders salvaged the finale.
  • The second game of today's doubleheader against Baylor marked the 141st all-time meeting between the two schools.  Texas Tech leads the all-time series 74-66 and holds a 47-20 advantage in Lubbock.
  • Junior right-hander Chad Bettis tossed three innings of relief to earn his 10th save of the season which ties the school's single-season record.  Bettis is now tied with Brandon Roberson who totaled 10 saves during the 1999 season.
  • Freshman first baseman Barrett Barnes blasted his 12th home run of the year in the bottom half of the first inning to give the Red Raiders a 2-0 lead.  Barnes' 12 home runs ranks tied for third in the Big 12.
  • Sophomore designated hitter Scott LeJeune is now tied with Barrett Barnes for the longest hit streak on the team as he hit in his 13th consecutive game with a leadoff double in the sixth.  The double was his 26th of the year which ties Clint Bryant for the most doubles in a single-season.  He needs just three more doubles to tie the school record of 29 that was set by Jason Landreth in 1997.
  • Junior RHP Bobby Doran earned his fifth win of the season this afternoon and all five of his wins have come in Big 12 Conference play.

 

Souce:TTU