Sooners Tie Tech

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Return travel plans forced Oklahoma and Texas Tech to end a Big 12 Conference game on Sunday in a tie. <br><br>The Sooners (16-27-1, 10-13-1 Big 12) used two home runs in the bottom

Monday, April 23rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Return travel plans forced Oklahoma and Texas Tech to end a Big 12 Conference game on Sunday in a tie.

The Sooners (16-27-1, 10-13-1 Big 12) used two home runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull even with Texas Tech (31-15-1, 14-9-1 Big 12) and force the extra inning. The game was suspended in the 10th inning because of rain.

Because of traveling conflicts for the Red Raiders, the game was called after the 44-minute delay.

The home runs, a two-run shot from Greg Dobbs followed by a homer from Sean Smith, erased a 7-3 deficit for the Sooners.

Both teams got on the scoreboard early and were tied 3-3 at the end of the third inning.

The Red Raiders went ahead with single runs in the fifth and eighth innings. In the ninth, Gera Alvarez scored on Mark Roberts' wild pitch to give Texas Tech a 6-3 lead. Bryon Smith's sacrifice fly to left field scored Nick Blankenship, bringing the Red Raiders' advantage to 7-3.

Matt Harbin started for Texas Tech, allowing three runs off eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Austin Mix pitched seven innings for the Sooners, allowing eight hits and five runs.