Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Florida Atlantic
Florida Atlantic Mounts an Improbable Comeback
February 24, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 24, 2007
Boca Raton, Fla. - Texas Tech built a 7-0 lead but couldn't hang on as Florida Atlantic posted eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to beat the Red Raiders, 8-7. The Owls improve to 8-6, while the Red Raiders fall to 10-5. There are three teams with a 3-1 record in the pool play, Texas Tech, Florida Atlantic and Illinois, who beat FAU earlier in the day, but lost to the Red Raiders earlier in the tournament. Based on the tie-break formula, Texas Tech and Illinois will meet in the championship game at noon (CT).
The Red Raiders threatened in the first when Ashley Parker led the game off with an infield single to second, but was caught attempting to steal second. After Devin Zaragoza grounded out for the second out, right fielder Whitney Riley doubled to left center and advanced to third on a subsequent wild pitch. Florida Atlantic starter, Meghan Doonan, induced an infield pop up by first baseman Jennifer Corkin (who leads the team with 16 RBI) and the Owls were out of the jam.
Tech posted a run in the second when second baseman Jennifer Bowers was issued a walk. She advanced on a wild pitch. With one out, Bowers stole third and scored when third baseman Brooke Neuman singled up the middle. Heather Parker sacrificed Neuman to second, but she was stranded there as freshman designated player Leah Legler (who was 2-for-3 in the earlier game on Saturday), struck out.
The Red Raiders extended their lead in the fourth when catcher Robyn Wike reached on an error with one out. An out later, H. Parker doubled down the line in left, scoring Wike. Legler walked, setting the table for, A. Parker to hit her first collegiate home run over the fence in right center, scoring her twin, Heather, and Legler. (In a game where the speedy, left-handed hitting players who are asked to put the ball on the ground are referred to as slappers, a home run is news.)
Texas Tech added two in the sixth as Neuman walked to start frame. She advanced to second on a passed ball and went to third on a single to left by H. Parker. Neuman scored on an error by the left fielder, Lauren Crandall. Legler singled up the middle, moving H. Parker to third. H. Parker scored when she stole home and Legler was out on the play attempting the double steal at second. A. Parker singled -- her third hit -- and stole second. She advanced on a passed ball but was left at third when Riley struck out.
It appeared that freshman Ashly Jacobs (four hits and six strike outs to that point) could coast to another win, when Florida Atlantic began their improbable comeback in the seventh.
Mandie Fishback led off with a double. Jacobs got Jen Musillo to strike out, but plunked Lauren Crandall. Blair Bodenmiller walked to load the bases. Melissa Moore singled to center, scoring Fishback and Crandall. Sarah Losleben came on in relief of Jacobs and issued a walk to Charlotte Baird. Losleben fanned Amy Bukovich and, with two outs, Ambar Jones reached on an error, scoring Bodenmiller and advancing everyone up 60 feet. Jenna Lopez walked in Moore and brought Fishback up to bat for the second time in the inning. This time, Fishback doubled to left, plating all three Owls to tie the score, 7-7. After Musillo was intentionally walked, Crandall singled to right center scoring Fishback.
Losleben falls to 3-2 on the season. The Red Raiders collected 10 hits and stranded eight runners in the effort.
