Texas Tech University Athletics
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Texas Tech Upsets No. 14 Texas 10-5
March 08, 2002 | Baseball
March 8, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Nick Blankenship went 3-for-4 with five RBI to lead the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 10-5 win over No. 14 Texas in front of 3,498 fans at Dan Law Field on Friday night. The win extends Texas Tech's home win streak to 22 games.
The Red Raiders improve to 16-7 on the season and get their first Big 12 win improving to 1-3 in the league. With the loss, Texas falls to 15-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big 12.
Senior third baseman Nick Blankenship put the Red Raiders on the board first when he hit a two-run home run over the left field fence on the first pitch he got from Texas starter Brad Halsey. Sophomore right fielder Brent Fossum set up Blankenship's home run when he got a two-out chopper that was unplayable by Texas third baseman J.D. Reininger. The home run was Blankenship's eighth of the season.
Texas got a single run in the top of the third inning when Tim Moss singled to left field plating Michael Hollimon from second base. The Longhorns tied the game in the top of the fourth when Hollimon singled in J.D. Reininger who reached on a throwing error by Tech third baseman Nick Blankenship.
Texas took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run single by Michael Hollimon giving the Texas shortstop his third RBI of the game. Chad Ertel came in to relieve Phillips after he gave up the hit to Hollimon, which was the fifth consecutive hit of the inning for Texas. Ertel retired lead-off hitter Tim Moss to end the inning.
Longhorn Ryan Hueble got his first hit of the game when he got a double to right center and was able to score on the play thanks to an error by Tech center fielder Tyler Carson and Jon Slack. Slack through the ball past Tech third baseman Nick Blankenship on what appeared to be an easy out as Hueble tried to get to third on the throw from Carson.
The Red Raiders rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh thanks to RBI singles by pinch hitter Madison Edwards and Nick Blankenship. Texas second baseman Tim Moss saved two more runs in the inning with an outstanding defensive play on a hard hit ball by Bryon Smith to end the inning for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech overcame the Horns in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Red Raiders scored six runs on four hits and two Texas errors. Nick Blankenship delivered the big hit of the inning as he hit a two-out double with the bases loaded.
Matt Harbin picked up the win for Texas Tech and improves to 2-1 on the year while Houston Street suffered the loss for Texas and falls to 1-1.
Nick Blankenship led the Red Raider offensively as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBI and two runs scored.
Texas Tech and Texas will square off in the second game of the series on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Dan Law Field.
