April 8, 2011

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LUBBOCK, Texas - Kelby Tomlinson's infield single in the bottom of the 12th inning gave Texas Tech a 4-3 victory over No. 5 Texas A&M in front of 3,881 fans at Dan Law Field Friday night.

It marks the Red Raiders (20-11, 5-5 BIG 12) first extra-inning win over the Aggies (22-8, 7-3 BIG 12) since February 28, 1998.

Trailing 2-1 going into the seventh inning, Texas Tech tied the game with a run in the seventh inning on Jamodrick McGruder's single through the left side. Tech then took the lead in the eighth inning with an RBI double to left-center field by Kevin Whitehead.

Junior right-handed pitcher John Neely attempted to hold the Tech lead in the ninth, but an RBI single to center field from first baseman Jacob House tied the score at 3-3.

Neither team scored in the 10th and 11th innings before Tech won the game in the 12th.

Stephen Hagen struck out in a nine-pitch at-bat before Bo Altobelli reached base with an infield-bunt single down the first-base line. Altobelli then advanced to second base on a throwing error by House, who attempted to throw out Altobelli at first base.

David Paiz' groundout to shortstop advanced Altobelli to third base before Tomlinson hit a hard grounder up the middle, which deflected off the pitcher, and went to the second baseman as Tomlinson's single scored Altobelli for the game-winning run.

Paiz, who started the game on the mound, received a no-decision pitching 6.1 innings allowing seven hits and two runs with four strikeouts and one walk allowed. Texas A&M starting pitcher John Stilson also took a no-decision pitching 5.2 innings allowing just one run with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Neely (8-0) earned his eighth win of the season - which leads the nation - allowing four hits and one run in four innings with three strikeouts. Neely didn't walk a batter and has now gone 14 consecutive innings without issuing a base-on-balls.

McGruder (3-for-4), Stephen Hagen (3-for-6), Whitehead (2-for-4) and Tomlinson (2-for-5) all finished with multi-hit games for Texas Tech. Texas A&M leadoff hitter Tyler Naquin led all players going 4-for-6 with three runs scored.

The three-game series continues Saturday with a 5 p.m. first pitch, which will also be televised by the Texas Tech Sports Network.