Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Cal State Northridge
Cal-State Northridge Clinches Series With 7-3 Win
February 28, 2009 | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2009
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - Cal-State Northridge scored five runs in the first and got solid pitching from its bullpen to hand Texas Tech a 7-3, series-clinching win over the Red Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Matador Diamond in Northridge, Calif.
The loss drops Texas Tech to 5-3 on the season while Northridge improves to 3-3. The Red Raiders will try to avoid the series sweep on Sunday afternoon when the two teams square off at 2 p.m. (CT).
Texas Tech jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as leadoff hitter Michael Reed reached on a first pitch single to right and then scored when Chris Richburg grounded into a triple play to end the inning.
Tech's lead didn't last long as the Matadors rattled starter Miles Morgan for five runs on four hits and two walks. Matador third baseman Ryan Pineda delivered the big blow in the inning as he belted a two-run home run to left field to give Northridge a 4-1 lead. Catcher Chris Hannick rounded out the scoring with an RBI double that gave the Matadors a 5-1 advantage.
The Red Raiders chipped away at the deficit in the top of the second thanks to a two-RBI single by Reed that pulled Tech within two at 5-3. Freshman designated hitter Scott LeJeune reached on a leadoff single and catcher Kevin Whitehead added another single to set up the RBI opportunity for Reed.
Tech had plenty of chances the rest of the way but never could convert at the plate as the Red Raiders stranded six runners in scoring position and nine overall on the afternoon.
Miles Morgan suffered the loss for the Red Raiders as he gave up seven runs on seven hits and walked five in 4 1/3 innings. Ryan Juarez registered the win for the Matadors as he allowed just three runs on five hits over five innings to improve to 2-0 on the young season. Billy Ott pitched the final four innings in relief to pick up his second save.
