Missouri Waxes Texas Tech 11-1 Friday Night
Texas Tech allowed three multi-run innings, including a five-run fifth, while dropping its Big 12 series opener at Missouri 11-1 on Friday evening at Taylor Stadium.
The Red Raiders fall to 30-21 overall and to 9-13 in the Big 12 this season. Missouri improves to 22-27 overall and to 9-12 in league action.
Texas Tech starting pitcher David Paiz (3-4) walked four batters and allowed five runs (four earned) in 2.2 innings while taking the loss. Missouri starter Eric Anderson (2-0) went seven scoreless innings allowing only two walks and three hits with six strikeouts in the victory.
After allowing two runs in the first, one coming off an error, Paiz yielded three walks and a hit-by-pitch in the second inning that led to a three run inning, giving the Tigers a 5-0 lead.
The Red Raiders were held to just one hit through six innings before tallying six hits the final three frames. Senior Nick Popescu scored Tech’s only run with an RBI single in the eighth and ended the game going 2-for-4. Paiz added two hits, including his 13th double of the season to lead off the Red Raiders ninth inning. Reid Redman singled to lead off the eighth and came around to score the Red Raiders only run on Popescu’s single.
Missouri added five runs in the fifth – all unearned – and one run in the sixth to win its fourth straight Big 12 series opener.
Missouri first baseman Eric Garcia (3-for-5, 4 RBI) led the way for Missouri while Brannon Champagne also drove in four runs going 1-for-3. The Tigers became the first Texas Tech opponent in over 10 years to record three triples in a game as Conner Mach and Garcia (2) combined for three triples in the right-field corner.
Texas Tech and Missouri will play game two of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Taylor Stadium.