Texas Tech University Athletics
Red Raider Softball Hits the Road
April 09, 2008 | Softball
April 9, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
LUBBOCK, Texas - On Deck
Riding the momentum of a four-game winning streak and six wins in its last eight games, Texas Tech softball hits the road as it travels to Norman, Okla. to take on No. 7-ranked Oklahoma in a Thursday double header. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT with the second game starting soon after the conclusion of the first.
The Series
Tech and Oklahoma have met 28 times previously coming into Thursday's games, with the Soooners leading the series 24-4. OU spoiled the Red Raiders' run through the Big 12 Tournament last year by defeating them 6-3 in the championship game. The Sooners have won each of the last four contests. Tech last beat OU in March 2006 and last swept a series with the Sooners in 1999.
Scouting the Sooners
OU boasts a 33-9 season record and a perfect 6-0 conference mark coming into Thursday's games. Amber Flores, this week's Big 12 Co-Player of the Week, leads the Sooners with a conference-leading .434 average. D.J. Mathis carries a 21-4 record with a 0.89 ERA in the circle. As a team, OU is hitting .303 while holding opponents to just a .192 clip. Coach Patty Gasso is in her 14th season at the helm of Sooner softball.
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week
Sophomore Ashly Jacobs was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday for her efforts in helping Tech to its first victories over Nebraska in seven years and its first-ever season sweep over the Huskers. The Houston, Texas, native went 2-0 and pitched 11.2 scoreless innings while giving up just one walk and striking out six.
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.
No Runs for You
Jacobs has been extremely stingy in her giving of runs lately. The sophomore hurler recently threw 22.2 consecutive shutout innings before being scratched for a run... She has allowed just two runs, only one of which was earned, over her last 25.2 innings.
Blasting in Norman
Senior Jennifer Bowers enjoyed her first trip to Norman two years ago as a sophomore. The Deer Park, Texas, product blasted two home runs and drove in four runs to help the Red Raiders to a 4-2 upset of then-No. 13 Oklahoma.
In Perspective
Twenty of the Red Raiders' losses this seasonhave 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.
Killer Tomatoes
While not one of their usual uniform combinations, the Red Raiders may want to consider playing more games in an odd looking red-jersey, red-pant motife. Tech has gone 3-0 while hitting .412 and scoring a combined 22 runs on 35 hits in this combo. Opponents have hit just .188 against Tech in this outfit.
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 10 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 .278 batting average this season is 121 points higher than her career average.
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 conference 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 17 multi-hit games on the season. She is third in the Big 12 in hits with 48, which doubles her 24 hits all of last season. She is hitting .366 coming into this weekend.
