Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Northwestern
Northwestern Powers Past Texas Tech
February 10, 2012 | Softball
Feb. 10, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz. - Northwestern scored five runs in the third inning and never let up en route to a 14-6 victory over Texas Tech Friday afternoon in the Kajikawa Classic held at the Tempe Sports Complex.
Northwestern, who was playing its season opener, took advantage of seven walks and seven hit batters from the Tech (1-1) pitching staff that had just one 3-up, 3-down inning.
The Red Raiders appeared to be in control early thanks to three-consecutive walks in the first. Raven Richardson drove in Tech's first run with a single up the middle, scoring Mikey Kenney from third.
Richardson scored a few pitches later as Adriana Perez hit a shot of her own up the middle, originally plating just Sandy James and Cydney Allen. Perez got caught too far off first, though, allowing Richardson to sneak into home during a brief rundown that ended with an unsuccessful throw to the plate.
The Wildcats answered right back in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own highlighted by a two RBI double down the right field line by pitcher Amy Letourneau.
Northwestern struck again in the third with its five-run inning that started off with a leadoff home run by All-American candidate Adrienne Monka. Olivia Duehr plated two of her game-high five RBI later in the inning with a RBI single to left.
Tech's only other offense in the game came in the fourth when Melisa Ryba had an RBI groundout to score Logan Hall from third. Emily Bledsoe would also score in the inning off an illegal pitch.
The Wildcats kept the offense going, though, scoring two more runs in the fifth before Duehr ended the game with a 3-run home run over the fence in left as part of a four-run sixth inning.
Cara Custer (1-1) earned the loss in her first career start as the freshman was chased after giving up seven runs, five of which were earned, off three hits over three innings. She also walked four and hit three other batters.
Tech used the majority of its pitching staff in the game as Kelsey Dennis, Kermitria Ward, Chandler Moore, and Ryba all saw action in the circle.
Despite a rocky start, Letourneau (1-0) earned the win for Wisconsin as she surrendered six runs off five hits while striking out 10 and walking five in a complete game effort.
The Red Raiders close the day later this evening against No. 9 Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT).
