Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Texas-Pan American
Red Raiders Improve to 4-0 With Weekend Sweep
February 22, 2009 | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2009
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LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior RHP AJ Ramos' return from elbow surgery was a successful one as he put up three scoreless innings to help lift the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 10-4 win over UT-Pan American on Sunday afternoon in front of 2,067 fans at Dan Law Field.
The victory caps off a perfect opening weekend for the Red Raiders who improve to 4-0 on the season, a first since 2005. With the loss, UT-Pan American falls to 0-4.
Ramos, who had Tommy John surgery on April 30, 2008, made his return to the lineup in just under 10 months and in the process made his 33rd career start on the mound. The Tech coaching staff held him to a strict pitch count of 50 and he would need 47 to get Tech through the first three innings. En route to his first win of the season, Ramos (1-0) held the Broncos scoreless while scattering two walks, two hits and struckout three.
Tech erupted for six runs in the bottom of the second to take 6-0 lead, one it would not relinquish. UT-Pan American starter Anthony Garcia had trouble finding the strikezone from the onset as he walked two Red Raider hitters and hit three. Tech capitalized on those free passes by distributing three key hits in the inning to build its 6-0 lead. Joey Kenworthy's two-RBI double in the inning was just the start for the junior second baseman as he ended the afternoon with a game-high three hits and two RBIs.
The Broncos plated a pair of runs in the fourth off freshman left-hander Ben Flora who made his first career appearance. Flora gave up both runs on two hits but rebounded with a perfect fifth.
Freshman pinch hitter Scott LeJeune paved the way for a three-run fifth inning as he drove a two-RBI triple over the head of Bronco right-fielder Jose Salmon. LeJeune would later score on a balk by UTPA reliever Mike Lankford to give Tech a 9-2 lead.
Freshman shortstop Justin Berry added a pair of hits along with two RBIs while Kellen Monreal and Taylor Ashby added two hits apiece.
UTPA's Anthony Garcia (0-1) was saddled with the loss for the Broncos as he surrendered six runs on two hits and six walks in just one inning of work.
Texas Tech returns to action on Tuesday evening where the Red Raiders will open a two-game midweek homestand against the New Mexico Lobos. The Lobos will bring a 3-1 record to Lubbock after winning a four-game series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi over the weekend. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 4 p.m.
