Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Howard Payne
Tech Baseball Slips By Howard Payne, 5-4
February 20, 2001 | Baseball
Feb. 20, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior relief pitcher Blake McGinley struckout three batters in the top of the ninth to earn his second save of the season and led the Red Raiders to a 5-4 win over Howard Payne Tuesday afternoon at Dan Law Field.
Texas Tech (10-5) took on the Yellowjackets in a make-up game replacing one of the games lost to inclement weather in the Howard series back in January. It was the first visit to Lubbock for Howard Payne (2-2) since Feb. 24, 1998 where they fell to Texas Tech 6-1.
Tony Arnerich put Tech on the board in the bottom of the second scoring from first base on a stolen base, a wild pitch and an error on Howard Payne pitcher Matt Ligon. Ligon pitched a no-hitter until the bottom of the fifth when Tech rang up three runs on two hits. Centerfielder Tyler Carson got Tech's first hit of the game on an RBI single to center field that plated Chad Landry.
Tech scored the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth when Chad Landry singled to right field scoring Tony Arnerich giving the Red Raiders a 5-1 lead. Howard Payne battled back in the top of the eighth scoring three runs on three hits and an error by Tech third baseman Nick Blankenship.
Blake McGinley took over the mound in the top of the ninth and struckout Howard Payne's first two batters to put Tech one out away. McGinley walked the next batter (Lopez) before striking out Bo Blanton for the final out of the game. Blanton came up to bat in the top of the ninth with a perfect 4 of 4 performance on the day. McGinley earned his second save of the season to push his overall record to 1-1-2.
Junior Chris Phillips (4-1) earned his fourth win of the season after pitching seven innings scattering six hits, striking out six batters and giving up one earned run.
Texas Tech continues is homestand in a three-game series with New Mexico this weekend. First pitch for the series is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday. Tech will then play the Lobos at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
