Texas Tech Athletics
Boise State
Texas Tech Picks Up Pair of Wins Saturday
March 20, 2016 | Softball
The Red Raiders held their annual Pink Day Saturday in partnership with Susan G. Komen to help raise awareness for breast cancer.
"Our kids always play for something bigger than themselves," said head Texas Tech softball coach Adrian Gregory. "To them wearing pink is not just a color that they get to just add in some flair. They understand the meaning behind it and it gives them a little more fight. It was a great day for us to get two wins."
The Red Raider bats came alive early in Texas Tech's first game against Georgia Southern. Texas Tech recorded four runs on three hits, two home runs, and an error in the first inning and never looked back.
First baseman Brittany Warnecke got the Red Raider hit parade started early, connecting on her third home run of the season in the first inning. Her blast was followed by a Kirsten Schwirtlich homer marking the first time since Feb. 13, 2015, that the Red Raiders hit back-to-back home runs.
Kierra Miles added another run to the Red Raider lead in the second, launching her eighth home run of the season and stretching the Red Raider lead to 5-0 heading to the bottom of the inning.
The Red Raiders struck again in the third as Jessica Hartwell drew a bases loaded walk, bringing Ashley Fultz home from third.
Following a one run bottom of the third by the Eagles, Texas Tech would break the game open in the sixth scoring seven runs on six hits, including a Miles grand slam.
After holding Georgia Southern to two runs in the bottom of the sixth, the game would be called with Texas Tech winning 14-5.
"We are swinging the bat well right now," added Gregory. "We are consistently hitting the ball out of the ballpark, and that is where we need to be at heading into conference play. I love that our kids always continue to fight. They just don't quit."
The Second game of the night would prove to be a much more competitive contest.
Following a scoreless first, both teams manufactured a run in the second inning to send the game to the third tied 1-1.
The Broncos broke the game open in the fifth, bringing in four runs on three hits and an error to take a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth.
Texas Tech would not go quietly as the Red Raiders scratched across two runs to cut the lead to 5-3 heading to the sixth inning.
"I think we are a scrappy team," said Gregory. "If we get down it doesn't really phase our kids. They just look for the plan and look to apply pressure and make the defense make plays. Our kids don't quit."
The Red Raiders showed their grit in the sixth inning, striking for three runs on two hits to take the lead for the first time in the game.
The Broncos threatened in the final frame, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with no outs, but the Red Raider defense would hold to close out the Red Raider comeback win.
"We weren't just playing for us today," said senior infielder Kirsten Schwirtlich. "We were playing for everyone fighting breast cancer and for everybody who has lost their lives. Hopefully we made those people proud today."
With the wins, the Red Raiders improved to 14-15 on the season and 28-2 all-time at the Jeannine McHanney Memorial Classic. Saturday's results also marked the first sweep of a doubleheader for the Red Raiders since defeating Mississippi Valley and Tulsa on March 14, 2015. The zero walks issued by the Red Raider pitching staff in game one marked the second game this season where the Red Raiders did not give up a walk.
Texas Tech will be back in action Sunday morning, as the Red Raiders will face Boise State to close out the 2016 Jeannine McHanney Memorial Classic. First pitch for Sunday's game is scheduled for 10 a.m. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2016 softball season by following @TTUSB on Twitter.
