In the final Southwest Conference Tournament, the Red Raider home team which once seemed invincible at home suddenly became somewhat mortal. Tech opened the tournament against #7 seed Houston since top-seeded Texas held a bye thorugh the first round. Jimmy Frush started for the Red Raiders and gave them a much need complete-game victory. Even though he spotted the Cougars three runs in the first, Frush worked back and seemed to get stronger as he pitched his way to a 10-4 victory. Tech's victory over Houston and Rice's upset of Texas A&M set the stage for the Raiders' second round game. Ryan Brewer, who had previously beaten the Owls 8-0 in Houston, strolled to the mound versus Rice and gave up two runs to the red-hot Owls. Tech battled back as before but this Rice team was too much, handing the Raiders an 8-5 loss and a ticket to the loser's bracket. Also denied was the large payday Tech officials had hoped for for a Friday night Tech-Texas matchup in Lubbock. Even though Tech had lost a game, they hadn't been forced to use their bullpen since Ryan Brewer pitched a complete-game loss. The TCU Horned Frogs were the first opponents for Tech in the loser's bracket and the Raider's took care of TCU as they had for most of the season, Tech winning 11-6, although coach Larry Hays was forced to go to his bullpen in relief of starter Matt Miller, who was having trouble with his pitch location. Freshman sensation Brad Ralston was able to come in and shut down the Horned Frogs and collect the win. The win would prove costly as All-Conference catcher David Lindstrom suffered a severly spained ankle on a collision play at the plate. Saturday morning came early for Tech as they had an 11 am date for the Tournament with the Baylor Bears. The Red Raiders once again started and allowed the opposing team runs early. Jeff Peck seemed to be feeling the effects of the early season injury that had hobbled the 1995 All-Conference pitcher. But the Tech bats came to life and gave Peck enough runs to pack away a 13-4 win. This victory also proved costly as Red Raider shortstop Dion Ruecker suffered a hairline fracture of the fourth metacarpal bone in his left hand after being hit by a David Marcom pitch. Many fans thought the pitch in retaliation for the homerun hit by Ruecker in his previous at bat. Ruecker remained in the game and the tournament and is schedlued to play in the regional unless otherwise noted. The game that everyone (Tech officials especially) wanted to see was the premier matchup of the day. Texas Tech versus Texas. However, this game meant one of the top two seeds would face elimination, as Rice's upset of the tourney's top three seeds would dictate. It looked early like Tech would be in a "big heap" of trouble as the Longhorns jumped out to an early 6-0 advantage on top of tech freshman Monty Ward. But Tech fought back and tied the game 7-7, before s strange play seemed to turn the tide for Texas. With a runner on third, a mysertious balk was called. The balk, apparently seen by all the Texas players was called by the only umpire with the pitcher's back to his view (the umpire with the worst possible view of the play). Some believed that a little "Gus Magic" occurred as texas was able to use the stolen run as a game winner in the 8-7 victory, and advance to face Rice in the SWC Championship game. In the Championship, Rice, rested and ready, took early command on Texas and got into Gustafson's battered bullpen. The advantage was obvious as Rice whipped the Longhorns 16-8 to claim the final Championship of the SWC. The Southwest Conference drew the curtain on 81 years of memories, surprises, domination, and destiny and turned its final page, closing the book in the city of the final team to be admitted and with the last team expected to win walking away with the one thing that the University of Texas wanted; the right to say "We were the final champions." The End.