March 1, 2003

Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas - Senior Nathan Fouts pitched six solid innings of relief to help No. 22 Texas Tech erase an early 7-0 deficit and the Red Raiders swept a doubleheader on Saturday with a 13-9 win at Dan Law Field.

Texas Tech improves its overall record to 13-4 on the year while Northern Iowa is still searching for its first win of the season as they stand at 0-6.

Northern Iowa stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the second as the Panthers chalked up three hits on Tech starter Jeff Karstens and took advantage of three Red Raider defensive errors.

The Panthers added to their lead with two more runs in the third and Northern Iowa had a commanding 7-0 lead.

Tech reliever Nathan Fouts replaced Jeff Karstens in the fourth inning and went to work as he held the Panthers scoreless over the next five innings.

Junior designated hitter Evan Shahak picked up his sixth home run of the season when he sent a two-run blast over the left-center field fence to pull Tech within five, 7-2.

The Red Raiders scored one run in the fifth and two in the sixth to cut the Panther lead to two.

Texas Tech took the lead for good in the seventh as the Red Raiders plated three runs on three hits. Junior second baseman T.J. Bruce gave Tech the lead with an RBI double to right field that plated Cooper Fouts from second.

Texas Tech added five insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth as Tech tagged three Northern Iowa relievers for six hits and the Panther defense committed one error in the inning.

Nathan Fouts (2-1) picked up the win for Texas Tech after pitching six solid innings of relief allowing just two runs on four hits and struckout seven batters. Hans Frey suffered the loss for Northern Iowa as he gave up seven earned runs on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work.

Texas Tech now leads the four-game series 3-0 and will go for the series sweep (weather permitting) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.