Texas Tech University Athletics
Tech Softball Welcomes Nebraska for Weekend Series
April 03, 2008 | Softball
April 3, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
LUBBOCK, Texas -
On Deck
Looking to bounce back from two close losses last weekend in Kansas, Texas Tech (9-27, 1-4) returns to the friendly confines of Rocky Johnson Field for a weekned series with the Nebraska Cornhuskers (16-16, 0-4) Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's action is set to get underway at 2 p.m. CT, while first pitch Sunday is set for noon. This weekend's games will be the first of a four-game home stand as Texas State comes into town for a double header next week.
The Series
The Huskers and Red Raiders have met 27 times prior to this weekend, with Nebraska holding a 24-3 edge in the series. The Huskers have won the last 14 meetings, including the last 11 in Lubbock. Tech last beat Nebraska back on March 31, 2001. The Red Raiders' last win in Lubbock came on April 13, 1997.
Scouting the Huskers
Nebraska enters this weekend with a 16-16 record overall and an 0-4 mark in conference play after sweeping a Wednesday double header with South Dakota State. The Huskers, who were receiving votes in both preseason polls, have seen their fair share of tough competition, having played seven Top 25 teams to date. Junior Darcee Rutherford is seventh in the Big 12 in hitting and paces Nebraska with a .384 average. Crystal Carwile leads the team with five home runs and 22 RBI, while Molly Hill's 1.93 ERA tops the team in the circle.
Recapping Kansas
Amidst cold and windy conditions, the Red Raiders dropped a pair of tough contests. The Jayhawks scored their one and only run of the first game, an unearned run, in the top of the first. Jennifer Corkin roped two solid doubles off KU ace Valerie George, but Tech was not able to get the offense it needed to get over the hump. After spotting the Jayhawks a 7-1 lead in the second game, the Red Raiders' bats came alive and scored six runs to keep things tight. KU finally squeezed in three runs with two outs in the sixth to pull ahead for good. Junior Montana Patin tied a career best with four RBI in the game.
Last Week in Review
After dropping a tough 2-1 decision to UTEP in the first game of a double header, Tech pounded out nine runs on 10 hits to run rule the Miners. Corkin hit her first home run of the season with a two-run shot in the first... The Red Raiders snapped a four-game skid to Texas and beat the Longhorns for the first time ever in Lubbock with a 5-4 win Thursday. Patin hit her third home run of the season with a three-run bast in the first... Facing cold and wind in Kansas, Tech dropped a pair of close-fought games to the Jayhawks... Montana Patin had a career day in the second game of the double header as the Houston, Texas, native had a career-best three hits and four RBI in four trips to the plate.
In Perspective
Twenty of the Red Raiders' losses this season have come against teams that are either ranked in the Top 25 or have been receiving votes. Twelve losses have come against Top 25 teams, while 10 losses have been by two runs or less.
Can You Say Strength of Schedule?
Nine of Tech's 2008 opponents are currently ranked in the Top 25, while four others are receiving votes... Twelve teams on the Red Raiders' schedule were ranked in the preseason polls.
On the Road
The Red Raiders have played 31 of their 36 games coming into this weekend away from Lubbock. This includes the first 29 games. Playing that many road games to start a season is nothing unusual for the Red Raiders under Teresa Wilson. In 2006, Tech played its first 34 games, including four conference games, on the road. Last year, the Red Raiders played its first 30 contests away from Lubbock before playing its first home game at Rocky Johnson Field.
Getting Offensive in March
Tech's offensive statistics saw quite change over the last month. The Red Raiders hit 30 points higher, had 67 more hits, drove in 51 more runs and increased their on base percentage by 51 points over February's numbers.
Home Makeover Tech Edition
The Red Raiders' Rocky Johnson Field is undergoing quite a face lift. This past summer, the previous field was torn up and new grass and dirt were laid. New dugouts are also under construction at the present time, hence the chairs, tables and temporary fencing.
Shupp is Up!
If the Big 12 Conference had a Most Improved Player Award, Shupp, a junior, would have to be a front runner. Her numbers this year have exceeded many of her career totals coming into the season. She has two home runs this year after not hitting a one the previous two years. Her nine RBI at this point surpasses her career total of five coming into the season, and her five extra base hits also exceed her career tally. Perhaps most impressively, her .299 batting average this season is 142 points higher than her career average. She is hitting .375 over the last 10 games.
Plunked!
Coming into this weekend, Tech hitters have been hit by pitches 35 times this season, with Robyn Wike accounting for herself. The team record for the most hit by pitches in a season is 42.
The Hits Keep Coming
Legler has recorded 14 multi-hit games on the season. She is tied for 10th in the Big 12 in hits with 39, which eclipses her 24 hits all of last season. She is hitting .333 coming into this week.
