Roberts Pitches Sooners To 4-1 Win Over Red Raiders

May 2, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - With the Sooners opening an important Big 12 Conference series Friday night, Oklahoma starting pitcher Mark Roberts led the Sooners to a 4-1 game one victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The junior righthander scattered six hits and allowed only one run to improve his season record to 5-4. OU (17-25, 5-14 Big 12) scored three in the sixth inning and one more in the seventh to provide the necessary runs for victory. The Sooners received some clutch hitting as all four of their runs were scored with two outs in the inning. Tech fell to 26-21 overall and 7-14 in the Big 12 with the loss.

Roberts and Texas Tech starting pitcher Nathan Fouts (4-5) battled to a scoreless tie through the first five innings before OU tagged the Tech hurler for three runs in the sixth. After being held to only one hit through the first five frames, the Sooner bats broke out in the sixth inning for four-straight hits to plate the first runs of the ballgame. Following senior second baseman Eddie Cornejo's (2-for-2) walk, sophomore first baseman Matt Bose (1-for-3) laced a two-out double down the right field line to plate Cornejo for the first score. Junior catcher Spencer Wyman (1-for-4) followed Bose's double with a single that brought Bose home and put himself into scoring position at second base after he advanced on the throw towards home. Freshman third baseman Russell Raley (1-for-4) then continued the hit parade with a base hit which scored Wyman for the final run of the frame and a 3-0 Oklahoma lead.

Roberts lost his bid for his first shutout of the season in the top of the seventh inning when a lead off double by TTU center fielder Cody Fuller advanced around to third and crossed home plate following a balk by the Owasso, Okla., native. Roberts got the final two batters of the frame to fly out to keep the score 3-1 in favor of OU.

OU added another run in the seventh frame when Cornejo doubled with two outs and came home on a single by sophomore right fielder Greg Kish (1-for-4) for a 4-1 advantage.

Oklahoma sophomore closer Jarod McAuliff relieved Roberts with no outs and a runner on first base in the eighth inning. McAuliff quickly enticed Tech designated hitter Travis McElroy into a double play and got out of the inning on a ground out to second base. Although he loaded the bases in the ninth inning, he fanned the final batter for his seventh save of the season.

Roberts fanned seven batters in the game, including all three looking in the second inning, and allowed his defense to help him out as they converted three double plays and played errorless ball.

The series resumes tomorrow with a 2 p.m. first pitch start time. Oklahoma will be sending junior righthander Casey Brown (2-1) to the mound and Texas Tech will throw senior righthander Dusty Buck (3-2) at the Sooners. Tomorrow is also The University of Oklahoma Salute to the Military Baseball Game where special events will coincide with the game between the Sooners and the Red Raiders and armed forces personnel receive a $2 discount with their military i.d.

SOONER GAME NOTES:

* Sophomore first baseman Matt Bose tied his career long hitting streak tonight with a hit in his ninth-straight game. Senior second baseman Eddie Cornejo also extended his season long hitting streak tonight to five games.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Roberts Pitches Sooners To 4-1 Win Over Red Raiders

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