Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Missouri
Tigers Claw Past Tech
April 13, 2008 | Softball
April 13, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Robyn Wike blasted her first-career grand slam and tied a career-high four RBI, and Megan Shupp added a solo home run of her own, but it was not enough for Texas Tech softball to get past Missouri (37-12, 4-4) as the Tigers scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth to claw their way past the Red Raiders 10-6 Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Tigers swept the season series with Tech (13-31, 3-8), who for the second day in a row battled back from an early deficit to force a tight contest. Down by four runs going into the fourth, senior Wike connected on her grand slam to even the tally and make things interesting before Mizzou squeaked in five runs, only two of which were earned, to take the win.
Tech came out swinging in the top of the first as Leah Legler took the first pitch of the game over the center fielder's head for a triple. She came in two batters later on a ground ball from Montana Patin to make the score 1-0. That would be all the Red Raiders would manage as Tiger ace Stacy Delaney settled in and put a stop on Tech's promising first.
Mizzou answered back in the bottom of the inning as the conference's leading home run hitter, Amanda Renth hit a two-run home run to give the Tigers the 2-1 advantage. They then took advantage of four Red Raider walks and a hit by pitch to plate four runs and take a 5-1 lead.
After the third inning passed in silence for both squads, Tech came back with four big runs in the top of the fourth to tie up the action. Jennifer Corkin started things with a one out single, followed by Liz Eimen reaching on an error and Jennifer Bowers being hit by a pitch. After a long eight-pitch at bat, Wike deposited a 3-2 offering well past the left field wall for the grand slam. That would be all Tech would get, however, as the Tigers tightened up to get the last two hitters and stop the bleeding.
The bottom of the fourth proved to be a costly inning for the Red Raiders as the Tigers took advantage of four Tech walks and a hit by pitch to put three unearned runs across and take a 9-5 lead. Shupp answered back in the top of the fifth when she slammed her third home run of the season over the left field wall to cut the score to 9-6. Mizzou added a run in the bottom of the sixth on Renth's second homer of the afternoon, however, and Tech was unable to get the offense it needed in its last two at bats to help the Tigers escape with the victory.
Wike finished 2-3 with the grand slam and four RBI to lead the way for the Red Raiders, while Corkin added a pair of singles in two trips to the plate. Legler came in 1-3 and Shupp was 1-4 with her homer. Ashly Jacobs (6-12) picked up the loss in the circle, despite pitching well in relief of starter Alex Watkins.
Tech will now look to rebound as it takes a short break from conference play when it plays host to UT-San Antonio in a Tuesday double header. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the action via www.texastech.com.
