March 28, 2008

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LUBBOCK, Texas - Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow pitched eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts and Nick Tepesch sealed the game with a scoreless ninth as the second-ranked Tigers took a 1-0 series-opening win on Friday evening at Dan Law Field.

The loss drops Texas Tech to 12-12 on the season and 2-5 in the Big 12 while Missouri improved to 20-3 and 4-0 in league play.

Missouri got the only run it needed in the top of the first inning as designated hitter Jacob Priday delivered a clutch two-out single up the middle that scored Greg Folgia. Folgia and Kurt Calvert led off the game with a back-to-back singles to set up the scoring opportunity for Priday.

The Tigers then rode the arm of ace Aaron Crow (6-0) who pushed his scoreless streak to 33 2/3 innings by holding Tech to just two hits and struckout nine over the next eight innings. Crow came into tonight's game having thrown back-to-back shutouts.

Texas Tech got a strong start from right-hander Nate Karns (1-4) who had struggled in his last three outings on the mound. Karns allowed just one run on six hits over 5 1/3 innings and struckout five.

Nick Tepesch picked up his fourth save after pitching a scoreless ninth.

The Red Raiders will look to even up this three-game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch for game-two is set for 2 p.m.