Texas Tech University Athletics
Kenney Homers Her Way Into Record Book
March 12, 2012 | Softball
March 12, 2012
by Alexandra Ellis
Texas Tech Athletics Communications
On a warm, breezy Lubbock afternoon, the ball was a goner from the second she started the swing.
The count was 2 balls, two strikes, one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, junior outfielder Mikey Kenney hit a grand slam that gave Texas Tech the lead that they never gave up.
Texas Tech swept No. 23 New Mexico in a doubleheader, with the score of the first game 9-4, and the second game 8-5.
While Kenney was satisfied with her production at the plate, she was nonchalant about the Texas Tech career homerun record she had just tied (27) with Kim Martinez - a record set in 1999.
"I'm just trying to go up and hit strikes and put them into play," Kenney said after the game. "I'm not really thinking about number 28 right now. It's going to be the same as all the others."
The win over New Mexico was the first series sweep over a ranked opponent since defeating No.7 Oklahoma State in a April 22, 2010 doubleheader.
Kenney said the victory will be significant in helping the team going into the last stretch before starting the run of Big 12 Conference play.
"We just got back from playing Texas a few days ago, and those were tough losses," she said. "We came out today and knew this team was really good, so these two wins make us really excited."
Home run 28 could come in front of a crowd in the northeast, as the Red Raiders take the road to play Stony Brook in Stony Brook, N.Y. in another doubleheader on Wednesday. After that, it's on to South Orange, N.J. for the Seton Hall Classic.
"We're all really excited about going to New York and New Jersey," Kenney said. "Hopefully, we will come back with a lot of wins."
Red Raider head coach Shanon Hays is proud of Kenney and the hard work she has put into make herself and her team better.
 | I'm just trying to go up and hit strikes and put them into play. I'm not really thinking about number 28 right now. It's going to be the same as all the others. |
"Mikey has been swinging the bat very well lately," he said. "It's nice to see her swing the bat well this time in the season. Last year, she struggled a bit this time in the season, so for her to open up our lineup and get some good swings in is huge for us, and obviously she had a great day today."
Hays believes the momentum of the win over ranked New Mexico will carry into the next stretch.
"It's huge because New Mexico is a very good hitting team," he said. "Cara Custer threw very well, Brittany Talley had some good innings. We played some pretty good defense."
The third-year Texas Tech head coach acknowledged how dangerous New Mexico could have been.
"They beat a very good Texas A&M team pretty good 15-3 a few weeks ago, so we knew they could swing the bat, and for us to out-hit them a little bit was nice," he said.
Hays agreed with his outfielder in the strength the sweep will bring the Red Raiders as they venture to New York and New Jersey, as well has what it can do for the team in the post-season.
"This win helps our RPI a ton if we can play well the rest of the year to get in the tournament," Hays said. "Obviously, you want to feel good and have the momentum going into whatever you're doing next."
"If we can go and play well up in in the northeast, it's going to be different for us, it will help our RPI as well and hopefully give us some confidence going into conference play."
