Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
UAB
Tech Softball Falls in First Game of Tulsa Tournament
February 27, 2004 | Softball
Feb. 27, 2004
TULSA, Okla. - The beginning of the 2004 Holiday Inn-Select Tulsa Festival was not exactly what the Texas Tech softball team had hoped for as they fell to UAB 7-6 this morning in tournament opening game in Tulsa, Okla.
The Lady Raiders (4-14) jumped out on top in the first inning 3-0. A Natalie Enderlin strikeout would have ended the inning, but she was able to advance first on an error by the catcher. After a single by Kelly Rhyne put runners on first and second with two outs, Elyssa Sigala followed with her first home run of the year over the fence in right field.
The Blazers would respond in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, left fielder Chelsea McCall singled trough the left side. After retiring the third hitter of the inning, Tech starter Julie Hauck (1-4) hit a batter and walked another to load the bases. Amanda Ellis singled to score McCall and UAB added another run on a throwing error by Ashley Parker on the play. After one inning of play Tech lead 3-2.
In the top of the third inning, Tech again got on the scoreboard courtesy of a Kelly Rhyne double. After back-to-back singles by Heather Parker and Natalie Enderlin, Rhyne lined a shot over the center fielder's head to drive in Parker and push the Lady Raiders lead to 4-2.
UAB was able to knot up the score in the bottom of the fourth inning, when they were able to get four hits off Hauck to score two runs and send the game to the fifth inning at 4-4.
Tech again would take the lead in the top of the fifth to go up 6-4. Natalie Kula lead off the inning with a double to left center field and Ashley Parker followed with a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Kula was able to steal home to score on a double steal, which also allowed Parker to advance to third. Enderlin followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Parker.
The Blazers would once again roar back in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 7-6 lead. UAB was able to take advantage of two Tech errors and a walk while adding a hit and a sacrifice fly in the inning to score three runs.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Raiders could manage only one hit.
Texas Tech softball will be back in action this afternoon when they take on St. Louis at 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Select Tulsa Festival.
