Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
South Dakota St.
Red Raiders Run-Rule South Dakota State in Game One
March 17, 2006 | Softball
March 17, 2006
ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. - Sophomore Jennifer Bowers connected on a first inning grand slam to lift the Texas Tech softball team to a 10-2 run-rule victory over South Dakota State at Academy Field in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Red Raider got off to an explosive start in game one, scoring six runs on four hits, while taking advantage of three walks and one error by the Jackrabbits in the frame. Junior Ashley Parker led off the game with a bunt single and after back-to-back walks scored on an error by SDSU starting pitcher Jenna Marston. After a based-loaded walk was issued to Tech designated player Kristen Healy to score another run, Bowers connected on the inning's biggest hit a deep fly ball high over the wall in left center field for her fourth home run of the season. The grand slam by Bowers was the first by a Red Raider since Eylssa Sigala slammed a bases-juiced homer against Kansas on April 6, 2003.
Marston did not record an out in game, walking three batters while allowing five runs, four of them earned on only one hit allowed. She was replaced in the circle by Jordon Bottorff right after walking Healy.
In the bottom of the first the Jackrabbits were able to trim the Tech lead to 6-2 as second baseman Chris Pesqueira connected on a two-run home run off Tech starter Erin Crawford.
Shortstop Heather Parker reached on a fielder's choice in the third inning and after stealing second and advancing to third on a groundout, the Lindale, Texas, native came in to score Tech's seventh run of the contest on an error by SDSU right fielder Brittany Postma.
After entering the game in the fourth inning, freshman Alex Watkins delivered in her first at bat, leading off the top of the fifth by slamming the first home run of her career to straight away center field,
The Red Raiders added two more runs in the top of the sixth on a RBI double by Whitney Riley and a run-scoring single by Watkins, bringing the score to 10-2.
Texas Tech softball will continue play at the Lobo Classic on Saturday when they square off in a doubleheader with UC-Riverside.
