Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Houston
Cougars Shutout Tech 3-0
February 15, 2002 | Baseball
Feb. 15, 2002
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Houston's Brad Sullivan gave up just one hit over six innings and the Cougar offense pounded out seven hits in a 3-0 shutout of Texas Tech on Friday night in the Lone Star Classic at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
With the loss, Texas Tech falls to 6-4 on the season while Houston improve to 3-2.
Houston put runners on the corners in the bottom of the second inning after Texas Tech failed to turn a double play and then Stuart Musslewhite brought in the first run with an RBI single to right field. Whatley was credited with a stolen base to score the second run of the inning for the Cougars as Musslewhite was caught in a run down trying to steal second.
The Cougars added another run in the fourth when Chris Snyder hit an RBI single to center field that plated Brett Cooley who reached on a double in the previous at-bat. Tech shortstop Gera Alvarez saved more Cougar runs in the inning when he made a spectacular play on ball that went through the glove of third baseman Nick Blankenship to end the inning.
Texas Tech got runners at first and second in the top of the sixth inning but Nick Blankenship and designated hitter Austin Cranford were unable to score any runs as they recorded a fly-out and a first base unassisted respectively.
Houston retired nine of the last 10 Red Raider batters of the game behind the arm of closer Nathan Mitchell who picked up his first save of the season.
Texas Tech was endanger of garnering just one hit for the first time since March 23, 1991 when the same Houston Cougars limited Tech to just one hit. Austin Cranford, however, ended that positive note for Houston as he hit a two-out single to left in the top of the ninth inning.
The 3-0 shutout marked the first time Tech had been shutout since the 2000 season when Oklahoma State dropped the Red Raiders 5-0 on March 13.
Texas Tech got another outstanding effort from senior hurler Chris Phillips (2-1) as he tossed his third straight complete game of the season and the 10th of his career. Tonight's loss, however, marks just the second time that Phillips has lost a game when going the distance. Brad Sullivan picked up the win for Houston and improves to 1-0 on the season.
Texas Tech will face TCU at noon on Saturday in the second day of the Lone Star Classic at Dell Diamond.
