The No. 19 Texas Tech Red Raiders got a leadoff home run from sophomore Stephen Smith, but still dropped Saturday’s Big 12 Conference rubber match to the No. 2 TCU Horned Frogs 4-1 before a sellout crowd at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

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TCU responded to Smith’s home run by scoring three runs on five hits in the second inning.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Ty Damron (2-2) took the loss getting the first two outs of then inning, but then allowing four consecutive singles and three runs.  Corey Taylor relieved Damron giving up a single to Cody Jones before  getting Conner Wanhanen to ground out to end the inning.

Taylor went seven innings, allowing one unearned run on six hits one walk and recording four strikeouts. Taylor was dominant retiring 13 straight TCU batters between the He lowered his nation-leading ERA to 0.24 (1 ER in 38.0 IP).

TCU starting left-handed pitcher Alex Young (6-1) earned the win going seven innings allowing Tech's only run on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks while throwing 100 pitches (71 strikes). TCU closer Riley Ferrell earned the 1.1 inning save - his eighth of the season - without allowing a base hit with one strikeout.

Tech (19-13,4-5) had runners in scoring position in both the third and eight innings but could not push across any more runs in the contest.

In total the Red Raiders left seven men on base, while the Frogs (23-6,6-3) stranded eight.

Smith’s home run was his fourth of the 2015 season. Smith went 2-for-3 with a walk. It was Smith’s seven multi-hit game of the season.

Sophomore Tyler Neslony was the only other Red Raider to record a multi-hit game his ninth of the season also going 2-for-3.

Tech will return to action with a midweek road game on Tuesdayat Oral Roberts with first pitch set at 2 p.m. at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Red Raiders will then return home next weekend, April 10-12, to host Baylor (12-19, 4-5 Big 12) at Rip Griffin Park.

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