Feb. 19, 2011

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LUBBOCK, Texas - Nick Popescu went 3-for-5 and Jamen Parten pitched five innings and allowed only one run with four strikeouts to lead Texas Tech to a 6-2 victory over Utah Valley on Saturday evening in the Red Raider Classic at Dan Law Field.

Texas Tech improves to 3-0 on the season - marking the third straight season to start the year with three consecutive wins. Utah Valley falls to 1-2 on the season.

Texas Tech relievers Zach Fowler and Trey Masek combined with Parten to allow just one earned run in nine innings while posting seven strikeouts and only walking one batter.

Utah Valley starter Zane Gray (0-1) took the loss pitching 2.1 innings allowing nine hits and four runs with one strikeout.

Texas Tech scored a pair of runs in the first, one run in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings. Texas Tech has now scored at least one run in 13 innings this season.

Popescu and junior first baseman Stephen Hagen plated a pair of runs with RBI singles in the first inning. Barrett Barnes, who extended his hit streak to eight games, singled to left field and then stole second base to reach scoring position before Popescu's single down the right-field line gave Tech a 1-0 lead.

Utah Valley answered with a solo home run by Billy Burgess in the second inning, but that would be as close as they would come as Tech scored in the bottom of the second and again in the third to make the score 4-1.

Jamodrick McGruder singled up the middle in the second to score a run and Hagen drove in his second run of the game with a single to left field in the third - scoring Popescu who reached base for the second consecutive at-bat with a double down the left-field line.

McGruder went 2-for-5, Hagen finished 2-for-3 with a team-leading two RBI and junior Reid Redman went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the nine-hole spot in the batting order.

Fowler pitched 2.0 innings allowing two hits with one strikeout without allowing a run while Masek pitched the final two frames without allowing an earned run (1 run) on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk allowed.

Texas Tech will finish play at the Red Raider Classic on Sunday, Feb. 20, taking on Northwestern at 1:30 p.m. at Dan Law Field.

Other Red Raider Classic Action:
Game 4: Northwestern 3, Western Michigan 2
- A well-played game by both sides ended in dramatic fashion in the top of the ninth inning with Western Michigan threatening to send the game into extra-innings. Western Michigan had the bases loaded with one out while trailing 3-2 in the game's final inning when Broncos lead-off batter Vinnie Booker flew out to center field and then Wildcats center fielder Trevor Stevens came up throwing and threw out Patrick Duncan at the plate for the game's final out to complete the double play. Northwestern pitcher Luke Farrell picked up the win pitching 6.0 innings while allowing two runs and two walks with eight strikeouts. The Wildcats were led by shortstop Kyle Ruchim (2-for-4, 2 runs) while the Broncos were guided by Duncan (2-for-4, RBI) and Ryan McMillin (2-for-3).