Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Iowa St
Tech Blown Away by Cyclones, 5-2
March 23, 2002 | Softball
March 23, 2002
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech softball team put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning getting the bases loaded with no outs and could only muster a single run as the Red Raiders fell to Iowa State, 5-2, at "The Rock" in Lubbock, Texas.
ISU (10-8, 1-0) scored four runs in the top of the sixth aided by a controversial call at third en route to winning its Big 12 Conference opener. The fatal inning started with a pair of leadoff singles by pinch-hitter Diana Reuter and Kristin Shipley. After a Tech pitching change and a strikeout Amberly Lssenger singled to score Reuter giving the Cyclones a 2-1 lead.
With two down in the inning controversy came into play as Kelly Wardein doubled down the third base line. The third base umpire who was over ruled by the home plate ump called the Wardein double foul. When the dust had settled two more runs had scored. Julia Lindsey followed with a doubled to center plating Wardein making the score 5-1.
Tech (10-23, 0-3) was retired in order through the first three innings but seemed to have something working the fourth. A leadoff double by Esmerelda Perez followed by a Rebecca Eimen sacrifice bunt and a Kristi Robles single gave the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead. In the inning Tech had the bases loaded with one out and failed to plate a run.
Down by four runs with three outs to play the scarlet and black tried to mount a comeback. Pinch hitters Tracy Cartier and Staci Jackson singled and Brittney Stolle walked to load the bases. But the only run that Tech could produce came on a wild pitch.
In going 1-for-2 junior Jana Baker extended her current hitting streak to a career high five games.
With the loss the Red Raiders are off to their first 0-3 start in conference play since the 1997 season.
Texas Tech and Iowa State will wrap up its two-game series tomorrow morning at Rocky Johnson Field, first pitch is set for 11 a.m.
