Texas Tech University Athletics
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Kansas State Outlasts Tech In 15 Innings, 7-5
April 05, 2002 | Baseball
April 5, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - Kansas State scored two runs in the top of the 15th inning to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 7-5 in a game that lasted 4 hours, 45 minutes on Friday night at Dan Law Field.
With the loss, Texas Tech falls to 24-14 overall and 7-9 in the Big 12 while Kansas State improves to 17-12 overall and 4-3 in the league.
Texas Tech scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning when senior catcher Willie Durazo got an RBI single up the middle scoring Jon Slack from second. Slack led off the inning with a walk and junior left fielder Scooter Jordan moved him to second with a bunt single to first base.
The Red Raiders extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second on an RBI bunt sacrifice by junior second baseman Joel Buchenauer and an RBI double by Jon Slack.
Kansas State got on the board in the top of the third inning when Osmar Castillo reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded plating Brett Williams from third. Tech starting hurler Chris Phillips by striking out Brandon Taylor and got Pat Maloney on a ground out to second ending the Wildcat scoring threat.
The Wildcats tied the score in the top of the fourth after scoring two runs on four consecutive hits from the bottom half of the order. Kansas State took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI single to right center field that plated Brandon Taylor from third.
Gabe Luttrell gave Kansas State a 5-3 lead in the top of the eighth with an RBI single to left field that plated Tim Doty from second.
Senior shortstop Gera Alvarez tied the score and extended his current hitting streak to 19 games with a two-run home run over the left center field fence in the bottom of the eighth inning. Senior designated hitter Nick Blankenship led off the inning with a single to left field to set up Alvarez' two-run homer.
After a batter of relief pitching, Kansas finally took a lead in the top of the 15th inning and Wildcat reliever Mitch Walter withstood a late Texas Tech rally to win 7-5.
Steve Rowe suffered the loss for Texas Tech after pitching 6 1/3 innings of relief allowing two earned runs on 10 hits along with nine strikeouts. Mitch Walter earned the win after giving up just two hits in eight innings of relief with seven strikeouts.
The Wildcats pounded out 22 hits on the night, all of which were singles while the Kansas State pitching staff held the Tech offense to just 10 hits.
Texas Tech and Kansas State will play the second game of the series at 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at Dan Law Field.
