Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Fastpitch
June 21, 1999 | Softball
October 29, 1998
By Claire Faculjak
Riding the success of the 1998 season is the task at hand for the 1999 Texas Tech fastpitch softball team. The Red Raiders are optimistic of repeating last year's success after posting a 45-19 record.
In just their third season of competition, the 1998 Red Raiders shocked the top-ranked team in the country with a 6-0 shutout over Arizona. Tech continued that trend with five additional victories over top-10 opponents. The Red Raiders caught the attention of the poll voters, who ranked Texas Tech at No. 23. Tech moved up to the No. 17 position and held that ranking for the remaining eight weeks of the regular season. Considered one of the NCAA "bubble" teams, the Red Raiders missed their opportunity for postseason play, despite beating such teams as Alabama (SEC champion), Nebraska (Big 12 champion), and Arizona (PAC-10 champion).
But the 1999 season is right around the corner and the focus of fourth-year head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie and her Red Raider squad is to earn an NCAA Tournament berth.
"The Big 12 established its strength in fastpitch softball by placing three teams in the 1998 World Series - more than any other conference," Luers-Gillispie said. "The time has come for Texas Tech to make its mark as a fastpitch softball powerhouse and earn an invitation to the NCAA Regionals in 1999."
Tech lost five seniors from the 1998 squad, but they will be replaced by a 1999 recruiting class that can prove to be best yet. All-American catcher Shauna Briggs comes to Texas Tech from Sacramento City Community College with two years of athletic eligibility. Another junior college transfer is junior catcher Lauren Warner, who received all-conference honors at Central Arizona Junior College.
The Red Raiders also landed Eva Harshman, the 1998 Texas High School 5A All-State shortstop from San Antonio Marshall. Perhaps the most anticipated addition to the Red Raider team is senior third baseman Kim Martinez who spent the 1998 season as a member of the Lady Raider basketball team. The Sacramento, Calif., native led Texas Tech in all statistical categories in 1997, finishing fourth nationally in hitting.
The Red Raiders will be led into the upcoming season by two sophomores whose 1998 accomplishments garnered national attention. Sophomore outfielder and lead-off hitter Sandy Butler (Tucson, Ariz.) became Tech's first All-American following a first-team All-Big 12 selection. Joining Butler is sophomore pitcher Amanda Renfro (Houston, Texas) who also was named to the All-Big 12 first team. Renfro represented the United States in international competition this past summer in Canada.
Also returning for her final season is senior outfielder Stephanie Walls (Albuquerque, N.M.), an All-Big 12 second-team selection. Senior pitcher Emily Hayes (Midland, Texas) has led the Red Raiders on the mound the last three seasons.
Senior Jenny Kohler (Marysville, Calif.) returns at second base where she was instrumental both defensively and offensively. Juniors Paula Workman (Spicewood, Texas) and Tamara Harrington (Broken Arrow, Okla.) each has started every game in their collegiate career to date, and anchored the shortstop and first base positions, respectively. This past spring, Workman added Academic All-American honors to her list of accomplishments.
Sophomore third baseman Jenny Beach (Belton, Texas) started every game last season and is expected to play all over the field in 1999. Her clutch defensive plays and key hits played an important role in Tech's win over No. 6 Oklahoma last season. Junior Christina Munoz (Carlsbad, N.M.) will play both left field and center field. Her speed is an asset for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech's schedule is tougher than last year, according to Luers-Gillispie. The Red Raiders face off against 16 of the nation's top-30 NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) teams, according to the association's final poll in May. Teams such as Arizona, DePaul, Stanford and Louisiana State will meet Texas Tech along with ranked Big 12 schools Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma.
