Jan. 31, 2003

Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas - Junior right-handed pitcher Steve Gooch recorded a career-high nine strikeouts and pitched his third career complete game leading Texas Tech to a 4-2 win over the New Mexico Lobos in front of 3,018 fans at Dan Law Field on Friday afternoon. The game was the season-opener for both schools.

With the win, Texas Tech is now 1-0 on the season and improves its all-time season-opening record to 32-22 that spans 53 years of Red Raider Baseball. Texas Tech also improved its season home opening record to 19-8.

New Mexico jumped on the Red Raiders early as the Lobos scored two runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Josh Mader and an RBI single by Chris Alexander.

The Red Raiders answered the New Mexico challenge in the bottom half of the first as Texas Tech plated three runs on five hits to take a 3-2 lead. The inning began when junior centerfielder Brent Fossum sent the first pitch from New Mexico's James Vermilyea into shallow centerfield. Junior first baseman Doug Beck plated Fossum with an RBI single to centerfield and senior designated hitter Travis McElroy followed with a single to left-centerfield to give Tech runners at first and second. Sophomore outfielder Madison Edwards tied the game with an RBI single and junior shortstop T.J. Bruce gave Tech the lead with a single down the left field line.

The game remained at 3-2 in Tech's favor until the Red Raiders picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single from sophomore catcher Cooper Fouts.

Steve Gooch (1-0) picked up the win for Texas Tech after a stellar outing in which he recorded nine strikeouts and picked up his third career complete game. New Mexico's James Vermilyea (0-1) suffered the loss for the Lobos after surrendering three earned runs on eight hits through seven innings of work.

Texas Tech returns to action on Saturday afternoon as the Red Raiders will host New Mexico in the second game of the three-game series at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The first 500 fans at Dan Law Field on Saturday will receive a complimentary Double T car decal.