Texas Tech Athletics
Arizona State
Texas Tech Softball Falls to No. 21 ASU 3-1
March 25, 2016 | Softball
Alcocer pitched just shy of five scoreless innings in Thursday's 3-1 loss.
March 24, 2016
TEMPE, Ariz. -Texas Tech softball fell to No. 21 Arizona State 3-1 Thursday night in the first game of the three-game series against the Sun Devils at Farrington Stadium."I thought our approach at the plate wasn't what it needed to be today," said head Texas Tech softball coach Adrian Gregory. "We shouldn't get two hit by anyone and we haven't struggled like this against top-10 teams. I think we need to adjust our approach at the plate and we will come back way more aggressive tomorrow."
The Sun Devils got off to an early start picking up a two out home run in the first, before adding two runs on three hits in the bottom of the second prompting Gregory to call on Dominique Alcocer to take over in the circle. The junior pitcher came in and threw four and two-thirds scoreless innings and only allowed three hits to close out the game.
"The shift really started for her a few weeks ago," said Gregory. "She has been working on some things and feels really confident in her play right now."
Texas Tech had its best chance to tie the game in the sixth as the Red Raiders earned a pair of walks to bring Big 12 Player of the Week, Kierra Miles, to the plate as the tying run with just one out in the inning. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Arizona State defense would withstand the threat and keep the Tech off the board.
Freshman designated player Jessica Hartwell broke up the Arizona State no-hitter in the seventh with a solo shot to straight away center, but it would not be enough as the Sun Devils would hold on to win the game 3-1.
"We set the bar high for how we expect our team to play against the elite teams in the nation," Gregory said. "When we don't play that way I feel like we are under preforming. I like where we are going long term, but I want us to be more consistent in the short term."
With the loss, the Red Raiders fell to 14-17 on the season. The loss also moved the overall series record between Texas Tech and Arizona State to 0-7, including a 0-5 mark in Tempe.
The Red Raiders will return to the field on Friday for game two of the three-game series against the Sun Devils. First pitch for Friday's game is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT. Fans can follow all of the action from the 2016 softball season by following @TTUSB on twitter.
