April 4, 2003

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri scored two insurance runs in the eighth and held off a late Texas Tech rally to grab an 8-6 win over the No. 23 Red Raiders on a frigid Friday night at Simmons Field in Columbia.

Texas Tech (20-12; 4-6) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Scooter Jordan led off the game with a two-base error that was charged to Missouri left fielder Ryan Rallo. Travis McElroy picked up the game's first RBI with an infield groundout allowing Jordan to score from third.

Missouri (22-8; 7-3) stormed back in the bottom of the first as Tech starter Steve Gooch loaded the bases with a walk, an error by second baseman Josh Haney and a hit by pitch. Cody Ehlers gave the Tigers a 3-1 lead with a triple to right field and Lee Laskowski plated the final run of the inning with another single to right. Texas Tech committed two defensive errors in the inning.

Missouri added to its three-run lead in the bottom of the fifth as the Tigers tagged Gooch for two runs on three hits before finally chasing him away with just one out in the inning. Senior reliever Dusty Buck came in and struckout Cody Ehlers and Cooper Fouts threw out Zane Taylor trying to go to second. Gooch's 4 1/3 innings was his shortest outing of the season.

Senior designated hitter Travis McElroy put Tech on the board in the top of the sixth with a two-run home run (his first of the season) over the right-center field wall. McElroy's home run plated Sean Alexander who drew a leadoff walk to start the inning.

Missouri added two insurance runs in the eighth to take an 8-3 and those runs would be needed as Tech scored three runs in the ninth.

Tech loaded the bases in the top of the ninth and Sean Alexander hit into a double play to plate the first run but gave Tech two outs in the process. Travis McElroy picked up an RBI single and Doug Beck got an RBI double to plate the final runs of the inning. Missouri closer Travis Wendte ended the game by striking out T.J. Bruce.

Junior Steve Gooch suffered the loss for Texas Tech as he pitched a season-low 4 1/3 allowing five earned runs on six hits. Justin James earned the win for Missouri after pitching six innings allowing just four hits and two earned runs.

Texas Tech and Missouri will return to action on Saturday afternoon as the two teams will meet for a 2 p.m. first pitch at Simmons Field.