Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Drake
Offense Comes Alive as Tech Softball Downs Drake
February 28, 2004 | Softball
Feb. 28, 2004
TULSA, Okla. - Natalie Kula paced the offense with three hits and a pair of RBI and Erin Crawford pitched her second complete game of the season as Texas Tech softball defeated Drake 8-2 this afternoon at the Holiday Inn-Select Tulsa Festival in Tulsa, Okla.
The Lady Raiders (6-14) were able to get on the board in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. With one out, Elyssa Sigala singled up the middle and was followed by Brandy Moulin, who reached on an error, and Britney Stolle, who singled through the left side. With the bases loaded, Meagan Stewart grounded into a fielder's choice and Sigala was forced out at the plate. In the next at bat, Heather Parker delivered singling to drive in Moulin and give Tech the early lead.
Drake took the lead on a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Katie Shimon singled off of Tech starter Erin Crawford (2-5) who had retired ten of the first eleven batters she had faced. Crawford retired the next batter after Simon, but Katie Wappler send a pitch high over the fence in left field to give the Bulldogs a lead in the game at 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, Tech battled back to tie the game at 2-2. Meagan Stewart led off the inning with her first career hit, a single to left field. After a pair of sacrifices moved Stewart to third, Natalie Kula singled through the left side to drive in Stewart and tie the score.
Tech would break the game open by batting around in the top of the sixth scoring six runs on six hits and two Drake errors. Kelly Rhyne and Sigala led off the inning with back-to-back singles and were moved to second and third on a sacrifice by Moulin. Stolle reached on a throwing error, which also allowed Rhyne to score. Stewart followed with a bunt single to drive in Sigala. Heather Parker singled to load the bases and sister Ashley Parker cleared them in the next at bat with a double to right center field. Kula would put the final exclamation point on the inning, singling to plate Ashley Parker and give the Lady Raiders an 8-2 lead.
The Tech offense pounded out a season high 14 hits on the day, with Kula leading the way with a career high three base hits.
Erin Crawford would finish the contest with her second complete game of the season. Crawford struck out three Drake batters while walking none for her second win of the year.
Texas Tech softball will be back in action this afternoon at the Holiday Inn-Select Tulsa Festival when they take on tournament host Tulsa at 5 p.m.
