Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Softball Set to Compete in Louisville Desert Classic
February 09, 2005 | Softball
Feb. 9, 2005
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Red Raider softball team is traveling to the city that never sleeps this weekend and is set to battle #17 Oregon St., Portland St., Utah and Illinois during the Louisville Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.
Tech is coming off a 2-2 weekend of play at the CenturyTel Texas St. Tournament in San Marcos, Texas. The Red Raider underclassmen took the stage many times during the weekend as freshman Jennifer Corkin led the team in batting average at .444 and freshman Devin Zaragoza followed with an average of .364.
Scouting the opponents The #17 Oregon St. is 3-1 on the season after participating in the UCSB Tournament in Santa Barbara, Calif. last weekend. The Beavers totaled 35 hits over the weekend and outscored their opponents 23-15. Oregon is led by junior Lisa Allen who is leading the team in batting average (.583). Their pitching staff is led by sophomore Brianne McGowan who has a 2-0 record and ERA of 2.14. McGowan tallied nine strikeouts and three walks.
This tournament marks the beginning of the Portland St. 2005 season. Last season they finished 19-36 and tied for third in the Pacific Coast conference. The Viks will be led by Michelle Hex, a pitcher who finished last season with 12 wins, 2.44 ERA and 189.0 innings. Another key returnee is catcher Rose Rutledge, who had a batting average of .318 and 50 hits for the season.
Utah is 3-0 for the season after the BYU/UVSC Tournament in St. George, Utah, last weekend. The Utes are led by junior Lindsie Nielsen on the mound. Last weekend she stuck out nine of 17 batters while going 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA. She allowed only four hits and held her opponents to a .154 batting average. The Utah bats totaled 31 hits for the weekend.
Illinois is currently 3-3 on the season after competing in the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas, this past weekend. They are lead by senior outfielder, LeeAnn Butcher who had 12 hits and posted a batting average of .571. On the mound they are led by sophomore Mary Miller who is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA.
The Red Raiders will face Oregon St. on Fri., Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. On Sat. Feb. 12, Tech faces Portland St. at 10 a.m. and Utah at 12:30 p.m. On Sun., Feb. 13, the Red Raiders face Illinois at 5:15 a.m.
For weekend updates about the Red Raider softball team, visit www.texastech.com.
