Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Long Beach State
Custer's Gem Leads Texas Tech Over Long Beach State
February 17, 2012 | Softball
Feb. 17, 2012
Box Score | Notes | 
Postgame Interviews
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Cara Custer tossed Texas Tech's first shutout of the season and Cydney Allen provided just enough offense to lead the Red Raiders past Long Beach State, 2-0, Friday afternoon at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.
After giving up a late home run to Ohio State earlier in the day, Custer (3-3) was effective against the 49ers, generating 16 total ground ball outs while escaping a few jams in between.
The freshman worked around seven Long Beach State (4-3) hits to help Tech (3-4) shut out a 49er offense that put up 13 runs against Indiana earlier in the day.
"It starts the circle and I was impressed with Cara Custer's performance today," Tech head coach Shanon Hays said. "She followed a good outing from Brittany Talley earlier today and we played great defense today. Cara's a ground ball pitcher and Raven Richardson, Emily Bledsoe, and Logan Hall all played well behind her."
Allen provided Tech's only RBI in the game with a two-out single up the middle that scored Mikey Kenney from second. Kenney was hit by a pitch to start the inning while Bledsoe followed with a walk shortly after.
Richardson scored Tech's final run an inning later as she came in from third as Ashley Hamada grounded into a double play to short.
Allen came close to extending Tech's lead in the fifth, driving a deep fly ball to left only for Megan Denio to jump at the fence and make the catch just before it carried over the wall.
The 49ers tried to muster a two-out rally in the seventh as Cya Neal doubled in the gap in left center while Hannah De Gaetano followed with a single to left field that was not deep enough to score Neal. Custer rallied, however, to force Shayna Kimbrough into a ground ball to Hall at second for the final out.
The shutout was the first career for Custer and the first for Tech this season. It was also the second quality start by a Tech pitcher on the day as Talley surrendered only one run over the first 4.2 innings earlier in the day against the Buckeyes.
Amanda Hansen (0-3) took the loss for Long Beach in a complete game effort. The right-hander gave up two runs, only one of which was earned, off seven hits, a walk, and four strikeouts.
The Red Raiders resume the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic Saturday afternoon as they face Idaho State and Portland State in a doubleheader. First pitch against Idaho State is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (CT).
