Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Nebraska
Nebraska Edges Tech 3-2
March 02, 2001 | Baseball
March 2, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Nebraska Cornhuskers scored three runs in the top of the first and it was enough to edge out Texas Tech 3-2 in the Big 12 Conference opener for both schools on Friday night at Dan Law Field.
With the win, Nebraska improved to 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12 while Texas Tech fell to 12-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
Nebraska punched out all three of its runs in the top of the first thanks to a two RBI double by Matt Hopper and RBI single by Dan Johnson. Texas Tech put its first run on the board in the second inning when Nick Blankenship was sent home on a balk by Husker pitcher Shane Komine.
Texas Tech pulled within one in the bottom of the seventh off an RBI double by Gera Alvarez that plated Bryon Smith. Tech seemed to have tied the game when Alvarez scored on a passed ball but the first base umpire called off the run after saying that a ball came onto the field from the Tech bullpen and thus forcing a timeout.
The Red Raiders tried to rally with two outs remaining in the bottom of the ninth with runners on first and second but Kerry Hodges ended the game on a strikeout. Nebraska All-American Shane Komine (3-1) pitched a complete game and earned his third win of the season while Cory Metzler (2-2) took the loss for Texas Tech.
Leading the way for Texas Tech at the plate was Nick Blankenship who went 3 for 4 at the plate. Designated hitter Austin Cranford finished the night with two hits on four at-bats.
Texas Tech and Nebraska will face-off again in the second game of the three-game series at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Dan Law Field.
