May 17, 2008

Box Score |  Notes

LUBBOCK, Texas - Baylor tagged Tech starter Chad Bettis for eight runs, including three home runs, over three innings and cruised to a 13-3 win over the Red Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field. The loss mathematically eliminates the Red Raiders from the 2008 Big 12 Conference Championship at Bricktown Ballpark next week.

The loss gives Tech just it second ever 30-loss season and the first since 1985 as the Red Raiders stand at 24-30 overall and 8-18 in Big 12 play. Baylor improves to 31-23 and 11-15 in conference play and clinches a spot in next week's Big 12 Conference Championship.

A misplayed ball in left field by Doug Thennis allowed Baylor to send Shaver Hansen to the plate with two outs in the top of the first and he made the Red Raiders pay as he blasted a three-run home run over the left field wall to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. The home run was the first of three that would be given up on the afternoon by freshman right-hander Chad Bettis. Bettis was charged with the loss after giving up eight runs on eight hits over three innings to fall to 4-5 on the year.

A solo home run by Jason Seefeld pulled Tech within two runs in the bottom of the second but that would be as close as the Red Raiders would get. Baylor exploded for four more runs in the top of the third, including a two-run dinger by Beamer Weems.

Mace Thurman picked up the win for Baylor in relief of starter Craig Fritsch. Thurman logged 4 1/3 innings allowing just one run on five hits and struckout four to improve to 3-1.

Texas Tech will try an capture the series win over Baylor on Sunday afternoon in what will be the final game of the season for the Red Raiders. Tech will also honor seniors Jason Seefeld, Jon Capuccio, Owen Brolsma and Doug Thennis in a pre-game ceremony.