March 13, 2004

Box Score

ROUND ROCK, Texas - Notre Dame's Tom Thornton allowed just one hit over eight innings to lead the eighth-ranked Irish to a 6-1 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday morning at the Round Rock College Classic at Dell Diamond.

The day belonged entirely to Notre Dame left-hander Tom Thornton who held the Red Raider offense to just one hit through eight innings before being replaced due to pitch count in the ninth. Thornton (2-1) retired 14 consecutive batters at one point in the game and finished with seven strikeouts on 114 total pitches.

Notre Dame (12-1) broke open a scoreless game in the top of the fifth as Steve Sollman picked up an RBI double to give the Irish a 1-0 lead. The Red Raiders replaced starter Dallas Braden in the inning and brought in right-handed reliever Tanner McElroy. McElroy walked the first two batters he faced, including one with the bases loaded, before surrendering a two-run double that increased the deficit to 4-0.

In the top of the eighth, the Irish scored two unearned runs on a fielding error by Tech first baseman Josh Brady. Brady wasn't able to handle a hard hit chopper down the right field line by Sollman and that allowed Greg Lopez and Chris Fournier to score from second and third.

Texas Tech (13-5) erased Notre Dame's bid for a one-hitter in the top of the ninth as Jose Delgado led off the inning with a single to center. Josh Brady plated Tech's only run of the game when he laced an RBI single past Notre Dame third baseman Matt Macri allowing Delgado to scored from second.

Dallas Braden (1-1) took the loss for Texas Tech as he gave up three earned runs on six hits through 4 2/3 innings of work.