Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma St
No. 21 Oklahoma State Handles Tech 7-3
March 17, 2002 | Baseball
March 17, 2002
STILLWATER, Okla. - Paul Powell hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and No. 21 Oklahoma State got solo homers from Nebasett Brown and Jose Virgil to give the Cowboys a 7-3 win over Texas Tech in the final game of the three-game series at Reynolds Stadium in Stillwater.
With the loss, Texas Tech falls to 20-10 on the season and 4-5 in the Big 12 while Oklahoma State improves to 12-5 and 1-2 in the Big 12. Texas Tech by virtue of wins on Friday and Saturday wins the series 2-1.
Jon Slack led off the ballgame with a double to right field and Scooter Jordan put down a bunt sacrifice moving Slack to third. Senior catcher Willie Durazo picked up the game's first RBI when he line drive straight up the middle allowing Slack to score from third giving the Red Raiders an early 1-0 lead.
Oklahoma State tied the game in the bottom of the first when second baseman Nebasett Brown hit a two-out home run over the left field fence. The Red Raiders regained the lead in the top of the second when Bryon Smith pelted his fourth home run of the season and his second of the series over the right field wall.
The Cowboys regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth when third baseman Paul Powell deposited a three-run home run over the left field wall to give the Pokes a 4-2 lead.
Oklahoma State added insurance runs in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings to pad the Cowboy lead to 7-2.
Junior Travis McElroy picked up his first home run of the season in the top of the ninth when he pinch hit for second baseman Joel Buchenauer to bring the score to 7-3.
Nathan Fouts (5-2) suffered the loss for Texas Tech after giving up six earned runs on six hits through six innings of work. Nick McCurdy improved to 2-0 with the win for Oklahoma State as he pitched a persona and team season-high 7 2/3 innings allowing just two earned runs on nine hits while striking out six Tech hitters.
Texas Tech will take on the New Mexico Lobos in non-conference action on Tuesday night at 5 p.m. at Dan Law Field in Lubbock. The Red Raiders will return to Big 12 action next weekend with a three-game series against nationally ranked Nebraska in Lincoln.
