Feb. 9, 2007

Box Score |  Notes |  Hays Postgame Interview

LUBBOCK, Texas - Antonio Mule went 2-for-6 with a game-high three RBI and the Northwestern offense collected 19 total hits as the Wildcats defeated Texas Tech 12-7 in the first game of the 2007 Red Raider Classic at Dan Law Field.

The loss drops Texas Tech to 1-3 on the season while Northwestern won its season opener and improves to 1-0.

Down 8-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Red Raiders plated four runs in the frame to cut the Northwestern lead in half. After holding the Wildcats scoreless in the top of the eighth, the Tech offense went back to work by plating three more runs and pulled within one at 8-7. Matt Smith's two-run home run in the inning was his second of the season and was the only dinger hit on the afternoon.

The Tech bullpen couldn't hold the Wildcats in the top of the ninth as they plated four insurance runs to the put game out of reach at 12-7.

Northwestern rode the arm of starter Dan Schwartz as he no-hit the Red Raiders for six innings before Geoff Byrns broke up the effort in the bottom of the seventh with a single to left. Schwartz (1-0) picked up the win after allowing just three earned runs on three hits while striking out three.

Tech starter AJ Ramos (1-1) struggled in his first start of the season as he surrendered three runs on six hits and lasted just 3 1/3 innings.

Texas Tech continues play in the Red Raider Classic on Saturday afternoon when they face Northwestern again at 2 p.m. Northwestern and Western Illinois will play the first game of the day beginning at 11 a.m.