Jacobs, Coats Hold Louisiana to a Tie
September 28, 2008 | Softball
Sept. 28, 2008
SUGAR LAND, Texas - The Texas Tech Red Raiders held the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns to a nil score in the final event of the weekend for Tech after dropping a game to St. Mary's, 8-5, earlier in the day.
In game one Tech got on the board early when Emily Bledsoe doubled and was brought home courtesy of an Ashley Hamada triple to open the second. The lead was extended to two when Leah Legler singled after Danielle Matthews reached by virtue of being hit by a pitch. A successful sacrifice later, Skyler Peterson singled home Matthews. Alex Watkins then hit a monster home run to left-center to make the score, 5-0. Tech was unable to hold on to the lead, however, as St. Mary's rallied with an unfortunate eight run fourth on a four-hit inning (all off of Watkins) which included a pair of hit batters, one error and at least one questionable call on a bases-loaded play at the plate which was followed by a grand slam. Freshman Karli Merlich took over the duties in the fifth and finished the final three innings uneventfully, allowing only one hit, a walk and striking out one batter. But, the Tech bats went quiet over that same period.
Game two was a classic pitcher's duel as Ashly Jacobs and Tye Coats shared the duties in the circle, with Jacobs going five complete, giving up two hits and fanning two Ragin' Cajuns. Coats gave up just two hits in the final two innings to Louisiana-Lafayette who finished fifth last year in the College World Series. Tech was unable to get a runner on in the game which ended in a tie, 0-0. (Note the careful avoidance of the use of the term "perfect" game by the Ragin' Cajun hurler, who we lovingly called "one" in the absence of lineups or rosters and since it was, after all, a scrimmage.)
The conclusion of today's games signals the end to the fall season for Tech which went 4-2-2 over the eight-scrimmage stretch. While these scrimmages count as official events for Tech, their results and any stats accumulated by players, do not carry over to the spring season and are not posted. (For complete NCAA rules' clarity, consult the NCAA's Web site regarding the difference between a countable competition and a playing season competition, especially if you're having trouble sleeping!)
The Red Raiders will return to individual workouts for the remainder of the semester before beginning their spring campaign. Texas Tech will begin its 2009 season at the Arizona State Kajikawa Classic Tournament from February 6-8. The rest of the 2009 schedule will be posted as soon as it is finalized.
