Texas Tech University Athletics
Tuesday Twin Bill Brings Texas State to Town
April 07, 2008 | Softball
April 7, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
LUBBOCK, Texas - On Deck
After sweeping Nebraska for the first time in program history last week, Texas Tech softball (11-27, 3-4) will look to continue its strong play as it hosts an extremely tough Texas State team (26-11, 16-2 South Land Conference) in a Tuesday double header. Start times are set for 3 and 5 p.m. CT.
After tangling with the Bobcats, Tech will resume conference play as it hits the road for a Thursday double header with No. 11 Oklahoma. From there, the Red Raiders will travel to Columbia, Mo. for a weekend series with Missouri.
The Series
TSU and Tech have met 20 times previously coming into Tuesday's games. The Bobcats lead the series 11-9 and have won seven of the last eight meetings. They also hold a 5-1 advantage in games played in Lubbock. Tech last beat TSU in Lubbock back on Feb. 16, 1998. The two teams split a double header last year in San Marcos, with the Red Raiders claiming a 1-0 win in the first game.
On the Air
Tuesday's twin bill with the Bobcats will be carried live in the Lubbock area on 1420 AM. Matt Driskill will call the action, and Harley Chambliss will do color commentary.
Scouting the Bobcats
Texas State boasts a 26-11overall record on the season and is 16-2 in South Land Conference play. TSU is receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA poll and owns victories over Washington and Baylor this season. McKenzie Baack leads the Bobcats with a .354 avg. to go along with four home runs. Ali McCormack leads the team with five home runs, while Katie Garnett paces the team with an 11-3 record and 2.02 ERA in the circle. Ricci Woodard is in her eighth season at the helm of the program.
Recapping Nebraska/Last Week
It was a weekend of note for the Red Raiders as they beat the Cornhuskers for the first time in seven years and first time ever in Lubbock, in addition to recording their first-ever season sweep of Nebraska... Leah Legler led Tech with a .500 avg. for the weekend, while Ashly Jacobs pitched 11.2 shutout innings and picked up wins in both games. Jennifer Corkin hit her second home run of the season in Friday's game, and Devin Zaragoza hit .429 with a pair of RBI over the two games.
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?
Eight 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 played their first 29 games on the road. 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 that is found around the field.
Seeing Double
Tech have played six different schools twice in its non-conference schedule. This includes Washington, Stanford, New Mexico, Loyola Chicago, Maine and North Carolina... The Red Raiders are scheduled to play six double headers this year, which does not include back-to-back games in tournaments.
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.
That Will Leave a Mark
Coming into this weekend, Tech hitters have been hit by pitches 37 times this season, which ranks second in the Big 12. The team record for the most hit by pitches in a season is 42... Robyn Wike is third in the confere having been plunked eight times. Three other players rank in the top 10 in the category, with Corkin and Zaragoza (six apiece) tying for fifth and Jennifer Bowers (5) coming in eighth.
The Hits Keep Coming
Legler has recorded 15 multi-hit games on the season. She is tied for eighth in the Big 12 in hits with 43, which far surpasses her 24 hits all of last season. She is hitting .344 coming into this week.
Home Away From Home
If the Red Raiders could, they might petition to play their home games in Fullerton, Calif. Over the last two years, Tech is 4-1 on Cal. State Fullerton's Anderson Family Field Two. The Red Raiders beat San Diego State on the field last year and Oregon State, Loyola-Chicago and UC Davis on the field this year. Their loss came against perennial-power Northwestern last year.
Tough Conference
The Big 12 is right up there with the toughest softball conferences in the country. Two schools are ranked in the Top 25 in both the NFCA and ESPN.com polls, with three others receiving votes. Only the SEC (5) and Pac-10 (5/6) conferences have more teams ranked... Five schools from the Big 12 were ranked in the preseason polls. Two others, including Texas Tech, were among those receiving votes. Only the Pac-10 had more teams ranked with seven.
Big Things in Small Packages
Junior Montana Patin may be Tech's shortest player on the roster at just 5'0", but don't let her stature fool you. The Houston, Texas, native and former gymnast leads the Red Raiders with six doubles, three home runs and 21 RBI while hitting .291.
