Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
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UTEP
UTEP Edges Texas Tech in Doubleheader Opener
March 11, 2015 | Softball
Kristi Belshe plated one of Texas Tech's three runs Wednesday afternoon as the Red Raiders dropped the first game of a doubleheader with UTEP, 5-3.
March 11, 2015
Kiki Pepi provided the game-winning run for UTEP (7-19) with a solo home run to lead off the fourth inning. It was Pepi's third home run already this season as she sent a 1-1 pitch barely over the fence in right centerfield.
The Miners added an insurance run in the sixth off a two-out RBI single from UTEP starting pitcher Danielle Pearson. She scored Courtney Clayton off the single to right center after Clayton led off the inning with a single of her own.
Pearson (4-5) picked up the win in the circle for the Miners following a complete-game effort where she allowed three runs, two of which that were earned, off seven hits and three strikeouts.
Pearson followed her RBI single in the sixth by retiring the Red Raiders (12-13) in order in the seventh. She ended the game having sat down the final seven Tech hitters she faced.
Tech previously found success against Pearson early as the Red Raiders plated a run in three-straight innings, beginning in the second off the aggressive base running from Lea Hopson. Hopson reached via a one-out single and then proceeded to steal both second and third base before scoring off a UTEP throwing error.
The Red Raiders added their other two runs off a two-out RBI double from Kristi Belshe in the third and then a RBI single from Susan Welborn an inning later. Welborn's single tied the game at 3-3 before Pepi connected on her home run in the bottom half of the inning.
Tech could have possibly grabbed an early lead had it not been for a pair of costly errors in the opening frame that allowed UTEP to score its first two runs, both of which that went unearned to Tech starter Chandler Moore.
Moore (5-4) earned the loss for Tech in the circle as the right-hander allowed four runs, two of which that were earned, off five hits and three strikeouts over 4.1 innings. She was relieved by Cara Custer with one out in the fifth.
Custer allowed one run off two hits over the final 1.2 innings. It was her 22nd appearance in the circle already this season.
