Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Florida State
Tech upsets #17 Florida State, 4-1
February 22, 2002 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2002
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - In the top of the eighth inning the Red Raiders exploded for three runs on three hits highlighted by Kristi Robles' bases-loaded double as it won its third consecutive game, 4-1, over 17th ranked Florida State Friday afternoon at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, N.M.
"Robles' hit was big, no doubt, but I think Baker's hit was just as big, if not bigger," is how Tech skipper Bobby Reeves felt about his team's final inning.
With the scored tied at one at the end of seven innings, Tracy Cartier was placed on second per the International Tie Breaker Rule. (The ITR places a runner on second to start the inning.) Esmerelda Perez singled and advanced to second on Rebecca Eimen's walk, loading the bases for Robles' double. Tech (6-12) would add an extra insurance run on a Jana Baker single through the left side of the infield, scoring Eimen.
The Seminoles (9-5) scored their lone run off starter Jennifer Vaught in the second inning after a lead-off single, stolen base, sacrifice bunt and another single. Kristina Blair came in and pitched two and two-thirds shutout innings earning her third win of the season.
"Our pitcher's performance speaks for its self," said Reeves. "Vaught did a great job keeping us in the game and Blair pitched well too."
Tech performed well on defense too. On two different occasions Tech turned double-plays to kill potential FSU rallies. The first of the two twin-killings came in the fifth when a bunt attempt was popped up, third baseman Andrea Joachims caught it and threw out the runner on first. The second defensive gem came in the sixth as the Seminoles had a runner on third with one out. On a come-backer to the mound Blair threw out the batter at first and the runner on third was gunned down at home by first baseman Carmen Grindell.
Tech was by Robles who was 2-for-3 in the game with 2 RBIs and a run scored.
FSU stranded seven runners, none bigger than the three in the bottom of the eighth.
