Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Texas A&M
James' Grand Slam, Hamada's Catch Seal Comeback Victory
April 18, 2012 | Softball
April 18, 2012
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LUBBOCK, Texas - Sandy James belted a two-out grand slam in the sixth inning and No. 24 Texas Tech held on long enough to complete an 8-6 come-from-behind victory over 19th-ranked Texas A&M Wednesday at Rocky Johnson Field.
The Red Raiders (35-12; 8-7) came into the sixth down 6-4 when Ashley Hamada slapped a one-out single through the right side to start the rally. Following walks to Emily Bledsoe and Adriana Perez, James took an 1-0 pitch deep over the fence in center, marking the third grand slam of her career and the second one for Tech this season.
"The funny part is that was the pitch we had been telling Sandy to swing at," said Tech head coach Shanon Hays, who earned his first victory over A&M in his final attempt. "They had done a good job fooling her with it the previous day so I was glad to see Sandy jump on it in such a key situation."
The Aggies (31-14; 11-6) put two on with two outs against Tech starter Cara Custer in the top of the seventh with three-hole hitter Meagan May at the plate. May, who entered the at-bat 2-for-3 in the game, curved a 1-1 pitch deep toward the pole in right field, only for Hamada to make a sliding catch into the wall for the final out.
Hamada also saved a possible run in the third as she made a diving catch in the gap in right center. The Aggies had two on and only one out at the time.
"I honestly thought the ball was gone," Hays said of the seventh-inning catch. "I never doubted Hamada would make the catch. I just hoped it stayed in the park. She might be the best defensive player I've had coaching in any sport."
The Red Raiders trailed 5-0 midway through the fourth as Mel Dumezich hit a RBI single in the third and Cassie Tysarczyk hit a three-run homer an inning later that was part of four unearned runs for the Aggies.
Holley Gentsch began Tech's rally with a two-run shot of her own to start the bottom of the fourth. The Red Raiders plated one more in the inning as Mikey Kenney sent a RBI single to left.
Bledsoe tried to score on the play as well following a throwing error back to the infield by Emily Alubus. The senior was called out at the plate, however, keeping A&M's lead still at two.
Raven Richardson capped a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a RBI single to score Taylor Powell from second in the fifth. Powell, who finished the game in left field, went 2-for-2 at the plate as she doubled the at-bat prior to Richardson's hit.
The win helped Tech salvage its series with the Aggies after A&M (31-14; 11-6) swept Tuesday's doubleheader. The game marked the final one between the two in-state rivals in any sport for the foreseeable future.
Custer (21-7) took the win after giving up all six runs, only two of which were earned, over 6.1 innings. She walked a career-high seven in the game while striking out three.
Brittany Talley came on in relief to start the seventh as A&M had three-straight left-handed batters due up in the inning. The southpaw allowed the two runners on before Custer reentered to pitch to May.
Dumezich (22-10) earned the loss after giving up five runs off seven hits in 5.0 innings. Lauren Ainsley briefly relieved her to start the fifth, pitching one complete inning before Dumezich returned to face Perez with two outs in the sixth.
The Red Raiders are back in action at 6 p.m. Friday evening when Tech opens a three-game weekend series with No. 25 Baylor at Rocky Johnson Field.
