Texas Tech Athletics
McNeese State
Texas Tech Muscles Past McNeese State, 11-6
March 05, 2016 | Softball
March 5, 2016
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech softball (9-10) recorded its most runs in a game this season, defeating McNeese State (11-5), 11-6, on Saturday afternoon at Rocky Johnson Field.
It's the first double-digit run total for the Red Raiders since a 10-2 victory over Tulsa on March 14, 2015.
Starting pitcher Dominique Alcocer (2-5) notched the win after tossing 4.1 innings, giving up six runs on six hits, all coming after Tech had built up an 11-0 lead.
The Red Raiders didn't waste any time putting runs on the board, scoring two in the opening frame. Kierra Miles launched a two-run homerun off the scoreboard in right centerfield to set the early tone. It was her team-high fifth homer of the season, driving in Kiani Ramsey, who singled off the pitcher's leg to start the inning.
Miles would go 1-for-2 at the plate, drawing two walks and adding three runs scored to her two RBI.
After a scoreless second, Tech had an eventful top of the third, plating nine runs, which is the most in a single inning this season by the Red Raider offense. Ramsey lead off with a double to the gap in right field, and two batters later, the bases were loaded for Brooke Scott, who shot a single over the third baseman to drive in the first run.
With the bases still full of Red Raiders, the Cowgirls made a call to the bullpen, ending starting pitcher Jolie Trahan's day at three runs allowed in 2.0 innings of work. However, relief pitcher Rachel Smith's day would be short after giving up four runs by walking Kirsten Schwirtlich, hitting Ashley Fultz with a pitch, then giving Susan Welborn a perfect pitch to drive to over the right fielder's head for a two-run double.
Another pitching change to Jamie Allred wouldn't stop the Red Raiders from adding four more in the inning. Tech would bat around in the third, as Ramsey would earn another RBI after grounding out to the shortstop. After a walk to Miles to load the bases again, Brittany Warnecke smacked a double to the left field wall, clearing the bases and giving Tech an 11-0 advantage.
Warnecke finished 2-for-2 in the batter's box, with a walk added to her time at the plate.
Alcocer provided a pair of shutdown innings in the bottom of the first and third, stranding Cowgirls in each frame. With a runner on third in the first inning, Alcocer recorded a strikeout, and induced a 3-2-3 double play to keep McNeese State scoreless in the third.
The Cowgirls would strike in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, posting three runs in each inning. With two outs in the fourth, McNeese State recorded a triple and a pair of singles to make it 11-3. In the next frame, the Cowgirls found another triple, scoring runners from second and third. They would try to leg out their third triple a couple batters later, but was gunned down by Jessica Hartwell on the relay after the third run crossed the plate.
Cheyene Powell dealt 2.2 scoreless innings in relief to finish off McNeese State to wrap up the 11-6 victory.
The Red Raiders return to action in game two of Saturday's doubleheader against Ohio at 5:30 p.m. on Friday night, Tech toppled the Bobcats, 7-5.
