Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Louisiana-Lafayette
Louisiana-Lafayette Slips Past Tech Softball in Extra Innings
February 20, 2004 | Softball
Feb. 20, 2004
LAFAYETTE, La. - Sophomore Erin Crawford pitched seven innings and struck out a career-high ten batters, but Texas Tech softball fell to No. 10 Louisiana Lafayette 7-1 in extra innings in Lafayette, La., at the Madri Gras Classic on Friday night.
The Lady Raiders drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning when shortstop Heather Parker pushed a bunt past the pitcher for a single and came around to score when a bunt by Natalie Kula was mishandled by the Ragin' Cajuns. The hit by Parker was the first by a Lady Raider off Louisiana-Lafayette starter Brooke Mitchell (7-1) who struck out 15 batters on the night and allowed only three hits.
Erin Crawford (1-4) navigated out of trouble in the top of the fourth inning, as the Cajuns had loaded the bases with walks, but were unable to score when Crawford struck out first basemen Lacey Bertucci with two outs.
Crawford would cruise along until the sixth inning, when the Cajun finally got on the scoreboard. After reaching on a fielder's choice, Bittany Bryant was able to score on a fielder's choice two batters later and knot the score at 1-1.
Tech was in a position to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Elyssa Sigala singled and was followed by Kelly Rhyne, who reached on an error by the Cajun second basemen. A Lisa Lawler sacrifice moved the two runners to second and third with one out, but they could get no further. Brandy Moulin grounded into a fielder's choice and Sigala was tagged out at the plate, and Ashleigh Renfro struck out swinging to end the frame and send the game into extra innings.
After the door was left open, the Cajuns were able to take full opportunity and score six runs in the top of the eighth inning. Crawford started the inning but gave up back-to-back hits and gave way to reliever Julie Hauck. Hauck walked the first batter and then got a strike out for the first out of the inning. Lafayette then scored when Hauck hit a batter to drive in a run and give the Cajuns the lead. The Cajuns would add a grand slam home run and a solo shot back to back in the inning.
The Lady Raiders will continue play on day two of the Mardi Gras Classic tomorrow when they take on Prairie View A&M at 11:15 a.m. and Stephen F. Austin at 8:15 p.m.
