Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Northwestern State
Texas Tech Softball Opens 2007 with Split
February 09, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 9, 2007
Phoenix - Twenty five minutes after ending game one at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State University, Texas Tech (1-1) jumped out to a four-run lead over Northwestern State (0-2) and wound up beating the Demons, 8-3, at the Tempe Sports Complex.
Freshman Ashly Jacobs earned her first win as she scattered three hits and gave up two runs in four debut innings for the Red Raiders. Sophomore Alex Watkins pitched a strong final three innings, also in her circle debut, giving up one run on three hits and striking out two. The pair combined for six strikeouts (Jacobs with four) and issued four walks (Jacobs with three).
After an uneventful, quick first two innings for both teams, and with one out in the third, senior shortstop Heather Parker walked and stole second. Designated player Leah Legler stroked a single to left advancing Parker to third. Senior centerfielder Ashley Parker drove a double off the glove of Demon second baseman Lyndsey Gorski, plating both H. Parker and Legler (from second). Left fielder Devin Zaragoza followed that with a towering two-run home run over the center field fence, the first of her career.
Northwestern State chipped away at the lead in the fourth as starting pitcher Amanda Glenn walked and came around to score on a home run by catcher Kelly Corliss. But, the Red Raiders responded in the fifth with three more runs to extend the lead and knock Glenn from the game, in favor of reliever Michelle Castellano.
Catcher Jennifer Corkin singled to open the fifth and tried to extend the hit to a double but was gunned down, Shira Walker (right) to Randi Stuard (short). First baseman Brandy Moulin singled to center and advanced to second on a walk by right fielder Whitney Riley. Freshman second baseman Amanda Myers greeted Glenn with a towering shot over the right center field fence.
Northwestern State threatened in the sixth as Corliss singled and advanced on a passed ball. Gorski reached on an error and Castellano followed with a fielder's choice (Gorski out at second). Stech singled, knocking in Corliss, but Watkins got Brittany Card to pop up to end the inning.
Texas Tech added a run in the seventh when Liz Eimen singled, stole second, advanced to left on a Megan Shupp single and scored on an RBI single by H. Parker.
Play at the tournament continues tomorrow as the Red Raiders face Ohio State and Nevada.
Note: Internet connections at the complex are intermittent. Updates will be posted as quickly as possible. Fans should also try opponent teams Web sites for game tracker information.
No. 27 Cal State Fullerton Spoils Texas Tech Opener
Cal State Fullerton handed Texas Tech the loss in game one of the Kajikawa Classic (and the season opener for both squads), 5-0, at the Tempe Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz., as the Titans got three long balls in the morning game, including a leadoff home run by Jessica Doucette in the first inning.
Cal State Fullerton pitcher Candice Baker looked like one of the nations top-50 players to watch as the senior right-hander scattered two hits and fanned 10 over seven innings, picking up her first win of 2007, as only junior left fielder Devin Zaragoza and sophomore designated player Montana Patin could manage hits off Baker for the Red Raiders.
Junior pitcher Sarah Losleben took the loss for the Red Raiders as the right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits and struck out six in seven innings. Catcher Kiki Munoz opened up the third inning with a solo home run. The scoring settled until the fifth when Candice Baker was hit by a pitch, stole second. After a Doucette fly-out, Baker advanced to third and came around to score on a wild pitch. Courtney Martinez walked and scored when Katie Gollhardt drilled a first pitch over the fence to end the scoring for Fullerton at five.
