Texas Tech University Athletics
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Texas Tech Posts a Pair of Big Wins in Phoenix
February 10, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2007
Phoenix - Ashly Jacobs (2-0) scattered three hits as Texas Tech beat Ohio State, 4-0, in softball action at the Kajikawa Classic tournament in Phoenix and improved to 2-1 on the season, while Ohio State fell to 2-2.
Jacobs, who walked four and struck out two, pitched out of a jam in both the first and third innings, but largely was masterful as the freshman got support from a defense which committed no errors and came up with several gems, including a game-ending catch in deep center field by Ashley Parker.
Kim Reeder (1-1) took the loss for the Buckeyes as the right-hander allowed three runs on one hit, a Jennifer Bowers' home run in the bottom of the fourth.
Both pitchers struggled early to find the strike zone (Reeder also walked four), but both managed to get out of trouble. After a lead-off walk to right fielder Montana Patin, Reeder appeared to be on the verge of getting out of another jam when, with two outs, Robyn Wike walked and moved Patin to second. Bowers stroked a full-count pitch over the fence in deep center field to move the Red Raiders to the 3-0 advantage and chase Reeder.
Megan Miller entered the game and was greeted by a Natalie Kula single. Shortstop Heather Parker followed by driving a pitch over the head of Buckeye right fielder Brittany Vanderink, for her first career triple, which scored Kula. The final three innings featured several key defensive plays by second-baseman Bowers (who finished with six assists and four put outs) and a line-drive snag by Kula. But, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Ohio State lead-off hitter Nycole Koyano drilled a shot to deep center. Ashley Parker turned, raced back on the ball, laid out flat and held on as she hit the ground just short of the Sport Fence in deep center field to end the game with a Web gem (sorry, there were no ESPN crews) and secure the win for the Red Raiders.
Play continues at the tournament in the nightcap game, which features Texas Tech and the Nevada Wolfpack.
