No. 7 Oklahoma blasts Tech 10-1 in Series Opener

Texas Tech scored first, but it was No. 7 Oklahoma who scored seven runs combined in the third and fourth innings to help put away the Red Raiders 10-1 on Friday night in the Big 12 series opener at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Texas Tech (17-9, 4-3 BIG 12) dropped just its second road game this season while the Sooners (20-6, 3-3 BIG 12) notched their ninth consecutive series opening win against the Red Raiders dating back to 2003.

Texas Tech freshman David Paiz (3-1) took the loss in his first career Big 12 start as he pitched four-plus innings allowing nine hits, nine runs (seven earned) with one walk and two strikeouts while tossing a career-high 90 total pitches. Michael Rocha, who leads the nation with a 7-0 record, was impressive throwing a complete game allowing just three hits – zero after the third – with five strikeouts and one walk while giving up just one run to the Red Raiders.

Tech took a brief 1-0 lead as Jamodrick McGruder reached base safely for the 30th consecutive game with a single to right-center field to lead-off the game. McGruder then stole second base and scored on Stephen Hagen’s RBI double down the left-field line.
Beside a Barrett Barnes single down the left-field line in the third inning - extending his hit streak to 13 games – that would be all of the offense Texas Tech would get the remainder of the game.

Rocha retired 14 consecutive Red Raiders from the third to seventh inning. A hit-by-pitch to Tech outfielder Mason Randolph interrupted Rocha’s streak which continued by retiring Tech’s final seven batters of the game. The senior right-handed pitcher recorded 21-of-27 outs by either strikeouts or by fly-ball outs. Only six of Tech’s outs were made via groundouts. Tech sophomore Aaron Corwin pitched a career-high three innings in relief while recording a career-high four strikeouts. Left-handed reliever Scott Erzinger pitched the eighth while striking out one Sooner in a perfect inning of relief.

The Red Raiders and Sooners will continue their three-game series on Saturday with a 7 p.m.