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Texas Tech Drops No. 21 Oklahoma State 9-7
March 15, 2002 | Baseball
March 15, 2002
STILLWATER, Okla. - Scooter Jordan went 3-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 9-7 win over No. 21 Oklahoma State in the first game of a three-game Big 12 series on Friday afternoon in Stillwater.
With the win, Texas Tech improves to 19-9 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12 while Oklahoma State falls to 11-4 overall and 0-1 in the Big 12.
Oklahoma State picked up the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single by Daylon Monette. Texas Tech tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI single by senior designated hitter Nick Blankenship that plated Scooter Jordan from third.
The Cowboys took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third when second baseman Nebasett Brown got an RBI double that plated Jeff Salazar who drew a lead-off walk.
Senior Bryon Smith, an Oklahoma City native, gave Tech its first lead in the top of the fourth when he hit a two-run home run over the right-center field fence. Smith's two-run home run was his second home run of the season and the first multiple-run knock of the year. Scooter Jordan extended the Tech lead to 4-2 when he hit an RBI double to right field plating Jon Slack from first.
Oklahoma State tied the score in the bottom of the fifth by scoring two runs on a wild pitch by Tech starter Chris Phillips and an RBI single by Jose Virgil.
The Red Raiders regained the lead in the top of the fifth thanks to a two-RBI triple by Scooter Jordan that plated Jake Brown and Jon Slack who both earned free passes in the inning. Oklahoma State reliever Shane Hawk gave Tech its third run of the inning on a wild pitch that went bouncing into the dirt and away from catcher Jason Jaramillo allowing Jordan to score from third. Texas Tech got just one hit in the inning but was able to capitalize on four walks by Hawk.
Bryon Smith led off the top of the seventh with a double to right center field and junior second baseman Joel Buchenauer brought him home with a triple to the same direction. Buchenauer was able to score on a throwing error by Cowboy second baseman Nebasett Brown who tried to throw him out at home on a ball hit by Jon Slack but the ball went by catcher Jason Jaramillo allowing Buchenauer to score safely.
The Cowboys rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning scoring three runs on a two walks, an RBI double and a passed ball by catcher Willie Durazo. Senior Matt Harbin replaced starter Chris Phillips in the eighth after he walked the first two batters in the inning. Harbin faced just one batter as he gave up an RBI double to Daylon Monette before being replaced by closer Steve Rowe. Monette scored the final run of the inning for the Cowboys on a passed ball by Willie Durazo bringing the score to 9-7 in favor of Tech.
Jake Brown led off the top of the ninth with a bloop single to right field but Joel Buchenauer was unable to move him to second as he fouled out to first baseman Ali Modami. Jon Slack drew a walk from Joe Weaver in the next at-bat giving the Red Raiders runners at first and second. Scooter Jordan hit a single up the middle on a 1-2 count to give him his third hit of the game but was unable to get his fourth RBI as Jake Brown was thrown out at home on a great throw from Oklahoma State center fielder Jeff Salazar. Willie Durazo ended the scoring threat for Texas Tech as he struckout looking leaving two Red Raiders on base. Steve Rowe and the Tech defense was able to retire three of the last four hitters for Oklahoma State to end the game.
Chris Phillips picked up his third win of the season and the first since garnering a 2-1 win over TCU on Feb. 7th in the Astros College Classic. Phillips pitched seven innings allowing six earned runs on seven hits and struckout four. Steve Rowe picked up his third save of the season after pitching two innings and allowing just one hit.
Texas Tech and Oklahoma State will play game-two of the series on Saturday afternoon at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium on the OSU campus. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
