Jamodrick McGruder Steals Home in Texas Tech’s 9-5 Win Over Tennessee Tech [PICS]

Dan Spencer's Texas Tech Red Raider Baseball team improved to 2-0 Saturday evening with a 9-5 win over Tennessee Tech during the Red Raider Classic at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

Shane Broyles picked up the win for the Red Raiders, pitching 7 1/3 innings, striking out 6 and giving up 4 earned runs.

Offensively, the Red Raiders were led by CF Barrett Barnes. He went 2-5 with a 3-run homer in the 4th inning down the left field line. The home run extended the Red Raiders lead at the time to 7-2.

Then in Tech's half of the 6th inning, it was all Jamodrick McGruder. McGruder led off the inning with a walk off of a 3-2 count.  During the next at-bat with Barrett Barnes, it looked like McGruder was going to get picked off of first base.  However, instead of stopping on his way to second base during the pick-off throw from Josh Bryant, McGruder ran full-speed to second and beat out the throw from Tennessee Tech's first baseman, Zach Stephens.

A few pitches later during Reid Redman's at-bat, McGruder stole third, uncontested. Scott LeJeune then walked, putting runners at the corners for catcher Bo Altobelli. McGruder took a large lead off of third base, and took off for home (pictured at the top of the page), as LeJeune went for second.  McGruder slid in safely at home plate as he pulled off the rare trifecta of stealing three bases in one inning.

Texas Tech would add one more run in the 7th inning and Tennessee Tech would add 3 more runs in the 8th inning to make the final score 9-5.

Tomorrow, Texas Tech plays a doubleheader against Tennessee Tech and Missouri State.  The Red Raiders game against Tennessee Tech starts at 10am, and the game against Missouri State starts at 2pm.