FROM PRESS RELEASE
LUBBOCK, Texas — The No. 18 Texas Longhorns dropped a 7-5 decision to the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Big 12 Conference baseball action Friday evening at Dan Law Field.
With the Longhorns leading 3-0 in the fifth inning, Monk Kreder drew a walk from UT starter Kenn Kasparek and with two outs, Tanner Rindels hit a two-run home run into the Texas bullpen in rightfield. Willie Rueda followed with a single to the gap in left centerfield, stole second base and scored on a Chris Hall single through the right side to tie the score at 3-3.
Texas (15-6, 3-2 Big 12) reclaimed the lead with a run in the top of the sixth. Cameron Rupp was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Kevin Keyes off the rightfield fence. David Hernandez plated Rupp with a sacrifice squeeze bunt, giving UT a 4-3 advantage.
In the bottom of the sixth, Chance Ruffin came in to relieve Kasparek for the Longhorns and issued walks to Jason Seefeld and Roger Kieschnick. Stayton Thomas followed out of the bullpen and walked Doug Thennis and Kreder to push Seefeld across and knot the score at 4-4. Tanner Ashby was hit by a pitch to put the Red Raiders ahead. Keith Shinaberry relieved Thomas and allowed an RBI bunt single by Rindels to give Tech a 6-4 lead.
Texas Tech (11-9, 2-3 Big 12) added an insurance run in the seventh when Jeff Kenworthy and Seefeld led off with back-to-back doubles, inflating the cushion to 7-4.
An eighth inning Texas rally trimmed the lead to 7-5. Rupp drew a walk, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on an infield single by Keyes and scored on a sacrifice fly by Russell Moldenhauer.
Texas drew first blood in the game with a run in the top of the first. Michael Torres accepted a base on balls and a single by Travis Tucker and a walk by Jordan Danks loaded the bases. Tech starter A.J. Ramos induced a double play by Brandon Belt, allowing Torres to score.
The Longhorns tacked on another run in the second. Tant Shepherd was hit by a pitch and Rupp was hit by a pitch to start the frame. With two outs, Torres singled up the middle to plate Shepherd.
Texas widened the margin to 3-0 in the fifth. Tucker drew a walk, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Preston Clark.
Kasparek went the deepest he has gone all season with 85 pitches. He allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Ruffin (2-1) was saddled with the loss. Cole Green finished the game for Texas allowing one run on three hits over 2.2 innings.
James Leverton (1-2) earned the win for Tech with one scoreless inning. Zach Stewart earned his third save of the season with 2.2 innings of relief. He allowed one unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out three.
Texas and Texas Tech complete the three-game series at Dan Law Field on Saturday with a noon contest.
