Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Nebraska
Nebraska Rallies To Beat Texas Tech 10-8
March 04, 2001 | Baseball
March 4, 2001
LUBBOCK,Texas - The Nebraska Cornhuskers did something on Sunday that no other team has been able to do in 11 years. Sweep Texas Tech at home.
Nebraska scored five runs in the eighth inning to erase a 7-4 deficit en route to a 10-8 win over Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon at Dan Law Field. With the win, Nebraska improved to 9-3 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12 while Texas Tech slipped to 12-9 and 0-3 in the league. Texas Tech's three-game loss marked just the second time in Big 12 play that the Red Raiders had been swept in a conference series since Baylor took three games back in 1999 in Waco.
"I like everything about this series, the way we played, except pitching with a lead," said Texas Tech head coach Larry Hays. "We get up 4-2 last night and walk a guy, and we had the same type of deal here (Sunday). Playing a team that's picked one of the top five in the nation, got all their pitching back, all their ducks lined up, and we're all new, our guys fought them pretty well. We've got a challenge ahead of us, but nothing's been easy for this team so far. Hopefully they'll keep battling like that, like I felt like they did in the series."
Texas Tech seemed primed for a Sunday win as Tech cranked out five runs in the second inning thanks to a two-run home run by Chad Landry and a three-run homer by Bryon Smith. Smith added a two RBI single in Tech's half of the fifth to give Tech a 7-4 advantage.
Tech tried to rally again in the ninth when Austin Cranford rang up his fourth hit of the game that plated Gera Alvarez bringing Tech within two. Jason Rainey popped up to the Nebraska shortstop and Bryon Smith grounded out to second base to end the game.
Thom Ott (1-0) earned the win for Nebraska while Brandon Roberson (3-2) took the loss for Texas Tech. Austin Cranford led all Texas Tech batters going 4 for 5 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Nebraska was paced by Adam Stern and Matt Hopper who each tallied three hits on five at-bats.
Texas Tech will travel to Austin for a weekend series with the Texas Longhorns beginning on Friday night. Friday's game at Disch-Falk Field is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
