Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Oregon
Tech Gets a Split
February 13, 2010 | Softball
Feb. 13, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. - Texas Tech (3-1) earned a split in day three of the 2010 season, as the Red Raiders lost to Auburn (2-2) and then rebounded to beat Oregon (2-2) in the nightcap.
Leah Legler got Tech on the board in the first in the game with Auburn as the senior short stop singled, was sacrificed to second, advanced to third on a ground ball and scored on a wild pitch. But, that was all the scoring offense the Red Raiders could manage in the first game of day three of the ASU Kajikawa Classic. Auburn put two runs across in the bottom of the first off starter, freshman Ashley Brokeshoulder. The Tigers runs were scored on a walk and a pair of singles.
Brokeshoulder settled down for a few frames and the score remained 2-1 until, after a walk and an illegal pitch (similar to a balk in baseball) she was lifted in favor of Karli Merlich in the third. Merlich calmed the immediate threat, but the Tigers came back in the bottom of the fourth and, after a walk, a single and another walk had loaded the bases when center fielder Krista Hyde smacked an 0-2 offering from Merlich over the fence in right center field for a grand slam. Brokeshoulder returned to the game for a few batters and then gave way to Hillary Phillips who threw two scoreless frames. (Any player who is in the starting line up may re-enter a game one time in softball.)
After a few hours break, Tech returned to action to face the Oregon Ducks who lost a heart-breaker to San Diego State in the game immediately preceding the Ducks/Red Raiders, 4-3, in eight innings. Again, Tech was designated visiting team and again, Legler would score in the first inning. This time Legler reached on an error, advanced on a sacrifice by McKenzie Clemmons, moved to third on a ground ball to the right side by Logan Hall. Emily Bledsoe drew a walk to put runners at first and third. When Bledsoe stole second with two outs and the Ducks made a play on Bledsoe, Legler scored on a delayed stolen base. Oregon starting pitcher Jessica Moore got out of that mini-jam.
Like the game with Auburn, the Ducks came right back in the first to plate two runs, highlighted by a lead off home run by Sam Pappas. Tech's senior pitcher, Ashly Jacobs quieted the Ducks bats and the score remained the same until the seventh. With one out in the sixth, however, Oregon third baseman Kelsey Chambers ripped a double into right center and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jacobs was lifted in favor of Phillips who got a spectacular defensive double play from Tech third baseman Bledsoe, a line out which doubled up the runner at third, to get out of the inning.
Mikey Kenney led off the seventh and was plunked by Moore. After a strikeout, Stephanie Drewry dropped an infield single and Tech had runners at first and second, down 2-1. Raven Richardson stepped up and promptly blasted the first pitch from Moore out of the park in deep right center field and Tech led, 4-2. A single by Ashley Hamada chased Moore, and reliever Brittany Rumfelt got the final two outs.
Of course, a Duck led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, just to make things interesting. Phillips struck the next batter out. Ashley Kivett singled and, with runners on first and second, Phillips got a line drive out to center. Up to the plate stepped Pappas (see first inning). The right fielder hit a shot to left which scored Hannah Barril (pinch runner) but when the trailing runner Carlyn Re (pinch runner) tried to score on the play, she was thrown out at the plate, Drewry to Holley Gentsch. When the literal dust settled, the final score was Tech 4, Oregon 3. Whew.
Texas Tech concludes play at the tournament tomorrow afternoon with a game against one of the hottest teams at the tournament, the Aztecs from San Diego State (4-0) who have won two extra inning games in come-from-behind fashion at this event. Travel plans immediately following the game will make a story such as this difficult, but scores will be posted, tweets will be Twittered and Game Tracker will be provided.
