Feb. 23, 2003

Box Score

FORT WORTH, Texas - Sophomore Cody Fuller went 3-for-5 with an RBI and Jeff Karstens gave up just three hits in his first career start to lead No. 22 Texas Tech to a 7-5 win over TCU on Sunday afternoon at Lupton Stadium.

Texas Tech (10-4) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Tech got runners at first and third thanks to back-to-back singles by junior right fielder Christian Colonel and sophomore center fielder Cody Fuller. Colonel was sent home on a balk by TCU pitcher Ryan Weems, giving the Red Raiders the first lead of the game.

Junior left fielder Brent Fossum gave Texas Tech a 3-0 lead in the top of the third when he blasted a two-out two-run home run over the center field fence. The home run was Fossum's first of the season and the sixth of his Texas Tech career.

Cody Fuller gave Tech a 4-0 lead in the top of the fourth when he picked up his third hit of the game, a single that landed in shallow center field. Junior first baseman Doug Beck plated Fuller on a popup single that got away from TCU second baseman Will Lewis and the Red Raiders led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

Tech third baseman Clint McGIll was charged with a defensive error with two outs in the bottom of the fourth allowing TCU center fielder Terry Trofholz to reach first. Jake Duncan put TCU on the board in the next at-bat when he delivered his second multiple-run home run of the series, a two-run blast over the right-center field fence. The home run was the first hit of the day off Tech starter Jeff Karstens.

The Frogs picked up their second hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth but unfortunately for the Red Raiders it was another home run as Chris Neuman deposited a solo shot over right-center to pull TCU within two, 5-3.

Texas Tech added to its lead in the top of the sixth when T.J. Bruce led off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch by TCU reliever Zach Duncan, giving the Red Raiders a 6-3 lead.

Head Coach Larry Hays was forced to go to his bullpen for the first time this weekend in the bottom of the sixth after Jeff Karstens walked his first batter and gave up a double to Chris Meeks in the next at-bat (Meeks was thrown out after trying to go to third on the play). Junior right-hander Aaron Jones came in and retired the next two batters without giving up the run and Tech maintained its 6-3 lead.

Clint McGill gave Tech a four run lead (7-3) in the top of the seventh with an RBI single through the right side plating Madison Edwards who led off the inning with a pinch hit single.

Tech was forced to go back to its bullpen in the bottom of the eighth as Dusty Buck was called in to replace Aaron Jones who allowed two runs to score on a walk, two hits and one wild pitch. Dusty Buck ended the TCU threat by luring Mike Settle into a double play ball that ended the inning.

TCU picked up two hits in the top of the ninth but the Tech defense turned its second double play of the game to seal the 7-5 win.

Jeff Karstens (4-0) picked up the win for Texas Tech in what was his first start of the season. Karstens pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing just three hits, one earned run and struckout two. Dusty Buck picked up the save giving him the first save of his Texas Tech career.

Texas Tech returns to action on Wednesday at Dan Law Field as the Red Raiders will begin a nine-game homestand with Texas-Pan American at 3 p.m. Tech and Texas-Pan American will play again at 3 p.m. on Thursday before Tech opens a three-game series with Northern Iowa on Friday.