Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Arizona
Top-Ranked Arizona Escapes Tech Softball
February 24, 2006 | Softball
Feb. 24, 2006
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - The Texas Tech softball team gave top-ranked Arizona a run for its money on Friday afternoon, narrowly falling to the Wildcats by a score of 3-1 at the Palm Springs Classic to fall to 2-2 at the tournament and drop their overall record to 5-10 this season.
Arizona (12-0) was unable to push across any runs off Texas Tech starter Erin Crawford in the first four innings of the contest, sending the game to the bottom of the fifth scoreless. During the frame, the Wildcats got a lead off single from left fielder Autumn Champion and after another runner reached base on a fielder's choice, right fielder Laine Roth delivered the scoring blow with a two-run single to center field.
In the top of the sixth inning it was the Red Raiders turn to get on the scoreboard, courtesy of right fielder Whitney Riley. After leadoff hitter Ashley Parker reached base on a fielder's choice and moved to third base via a stolen base and a throwing error by Arizona catcher Callista Balko, Riley stepped to the plate with two outs and delivered the run with a hard single up the middle.
The home half of the sixth would yield the game's final run, as the Wildcats took a 3-1 lead on a RBI single from freshman first baseman Sam Banister.
Crawford (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season in the circle for the Red Raiders, scattering 11 hits while striking out six batters. Arizona sophomore Taryne Mowatt picked up her second win of the season against Texas Tech, throwing a complete game with 14 strikeouts. The Wildcats defeated Texas Tech by a score of 6-0 on Feb 18 in Tucson, Ariz.
Texas Tech softball concludes play at the Palm Springs Classic on Saturday with games against No. 19 LSU and No. 23 Fresno State.
