Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Florida State
Tech Earns Split on First Day
March 19, 2010 | Softball
March 19, 2010
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Ashley Brokeshoulder got the decision in both games as Texas Tech (26-3) opened play at their final pre-conference tournament with a loss to Long Island, 3-2, and a win over No. 19 Florida State, 2-1.
Game one saw Tech starter Ashly Jacobs and LIU's Megan Sheaf jabs effectively. LIU put up a run in the second on a solo home run by Brynn Lewis. It was the only hit Jacobs would allow. The Red Raiders evened the score in the third on a single by Leah Legler which bounced over the third baseman's head and scored Ashley Hamada from second base.
Long Island added a run in the fifth when Jacobs gave way to Karli Merlich. Merlich was lifted after three consecutive illegal pitches and Hillary Phillips came on. She tossed illegal pitches to the next pair of batters which allowed Karina Cervantes, aboard on a walk, to wander around the bases and score. However, Phillips managed to get out of the fifth inning, which apparently was the winning number for half innings where illegal pitches would be called and Tech was down, 2-1, which was how the score remained until Mikey Kenney stepped to the plate in the seventh and swatted a fly ball out of the park for her 11th home run of the season which chased Sheaf in favor of Blaire Porter who ended up with the win.
Brokeshoulder, who had come in to retire LIU in the sixth without any suspense, went back to work in the seventh with the score evened at two, but so did Long Island. A pair of bloop singles and a walk preceded a run scoring single by Sterling Hoham without an out recorded in the seventh.
Brokeshoulder then started game two, against No. 19 Florida State, but this time went the distance, allowing a run on five hits while fanning four. Holley Gentsch delivered the big offensive play for Tech as the sophomore drew the start at first base (the first start of her career there) and drove in Tech's two runs with a single in the second.
The spring break tournament for Texas Tech, the USF The Game event, continues tomorrow when the Red Raiders face Florida A&M and Towsona at 9 a.m. and l1 a.m. Central Time, respectively.
NOTE: Cell phone reception at the park in Clearwater, Fla. does not allow for the Internet audio broadcasts which were slated for this weekend's events. Our beleaguered, but lovable, score keeper is attempting to bring you every pitch via the Game Tracker feature which is also woefully tricky, apparently, on the gulf coast spot. We will endeavor to bring you the games via the GT feature again tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!
