Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma
Home Run Dooms Tech As Red Raiders Fall 5-4
May 04, 2003 | Baseball
May 4, 2003
NORMAN, Okla. - Denver Kitch hit a game-ending solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Oklahoma Sooners a 5-4 win over Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon completing a three-game sweep of the Red Raiders. The win pushes Oklahoma into the eighth spot in the Big 12 standings and most likely forces a three-game sweep of Oklahoma State in two weeks for Tech to have any chance at the Big 12 Tournament.
Texas Tech got on the scoreboard in the top of the second when Josh Haney reached second on a one-out double to left field and Cody Fuller scored him in the next at-bat with a single to right.
Oklahoma's Spencer Wyman tied the game at 1-1 when he deposited a solo home run over the right-center field wall. The home run marked his eighth of the season.
The Red Raiders regained the lead in the top of the third when Christian Colonel hit a double down the left field line that scored Scooter Jordan all the way from first. Jordan reached on an infield chopper to set up the scoring opportunity.
OU tied the game in the bottom of the third when Reggie Willits delivered a two-out base hit and Eddie Cornejo got some luck from mother nature as what should have been a foul ball was blown back fair and fell in to left field. The hit scored Willits who stole second to get into scoring position.
Texas Tech jumped ahead again in the top of the fourth thanks to two singles by Cody Fuller and Doug Beck. Sophomore catcher Cooper Fouts was credited with the RBI in the inning as he plated Fuller with an infield groundout to third base.
The Sooners tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Russell Raley delivered a two-out single off reliever Jeff Karstens that scored Eddie Cornejo from second. Karstens replaced starter Steve Gooch with two outs in the inning. Gooch received a no-decision despite tossing 5 2/3 innings giving up six hits, three earned runs and struckout seven.
Eddie Cornejo gave Oklahoma a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh when he laced an RBI single into left field scoring Brandon Jones from third.
Texas Tech came back in the top of the eighth and tied the game when Josh Haney led off the inning with a single and Cody Fuller scored him in the next at-bat with a double to left field. Texas Tech stranded the go-ahead runner in the inning as Sean Alexander grounded out with Doug Beck on second.
Denver Kitch ended the game in the bottom of the ninth when he hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot over the left field wall.
Jarod McAuliff (2-4) earned the win for OU as he pitched the final 2 1/3 innings allowing one earned run on three hits. Jeff Karstens (7-4) took the loss for Texas Tech as he gave up six hits and two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Texas Tech returns to action this Thursday as the Red Raiders get a break from non-conference action and will host the Wofford Terriers in a three-game series. The three-game set begins on Thursday night at 7 p.m. and continues with 7 p.m. games on Friday and Saturday. There will be no game on Sunday.
