Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
New Mexico
Red Raiders Lose a Wild One
February 22, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE - After posting six runs in the top of the first, the Red Raiders (3-10) gave back five runs in the bottom of the frame and six more in the third and fell to the University of New Mexico (6-7) in the final game of the Lobo Classic.
With one out, second baseman Leah Legler drew a walk to get things going for Tech. Center fielder Megan Shupp was plunked and designated player Alex Watkins drew a free pass to load the bases for pitcher Tye Coats. After Legler had scored on a wild pitch, Coats responded with a run-scoring single to right, scoring Shupp. Catcher Holley Gentsch followed that with a single up the middle to score Watkins and the Red Raiders were off to the races. After a walk and a fielder's choice reloaded the bases, first baseman Liz Eimen drilled a triple into the gap in left center field clearing the bases. After the considerable dust settled, the Red Raiders had scored six runs on three hits.
But whereas Coats has looked solid in the previous night's game with Wisconsin, the sophomore struggled early and gave up a single and a run-scoring double. After an out and a walk, two hits sent Coats to the bench after only a third of an inning worked. Freshman left hander Karli Merlich came on and gave up a run scoring single (charged to Coats) but got a solid defensive play Gentsch to short stop Emily Bledsoe to cut down the runner trying to advance to second. Merlich then settled in and whiffed the eighth batter to come to the plate for the Lobos.
Merlich had a three up and three down second, but New Mexico roared ahead in the third posting six runs on an four hits, a couple walks and an error, leaving the score, 11-6, at the end of three. Texas Tech managed to chip away at the lead by adding two runs in the fifth on a single by Watkins followed promptly by a triple down the left field line by Merlich and another run scoring single by Gentsch. But, the Lobos got solid defensive play by its infield and got three consecutive ground ball outs to end the threat.
Watkins relieved Merlich (who got stuck with the loss) in the fourth and pitched a strong two and two-thirds innings but Texas Tech couldn't push another run across and stranded seven in the melee.
The team will be back in action, hoping to turn things around at the second of its visits in 2009 to No. 2 Florida next weekend, participating in the Florida Invitational.
