Softball Drops Exhibition to Team Japan

Friday, February 22

Cathedral City, CA

11 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

Team Japan (Exh.)

Softball Drops Exhibition to Team Japan

February 23, 2019 | Softball

Texas Tech collected three hits against the Japan National Team.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Taking a break from regular competition, the Texas Tech softball team (11-0) fell in an 8-0, five-inning exhibition game against the Japan National Team, Friday night at Big League Dreams Sports Park.

Starter Missy Zoch recorded a pair of strikeouts to start the top of the first, but Japan jumped out to an early lead after it combined for two runs off three hits. Hamilton recorded the first of Tech's three hits, but she was stranded on first to end the opening inning.

Zoch tallied to more strikeouts in the top of the second, but Japan answered back with another run in the frame to make it a 3-0 ball game.

Taylor Satchell recorded a leadoff single in the bottom of the second and Breanna Russell moved her over into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Zoe Jones used a ground out to move Satchell to third, but the Red Raiders could not push across a run as Japan ended the inning with a strikeout.

After freshman Brooke Blackwell entered the circle in relief, Japan blasted a grand slam over the left-field wall to take a 7-0 lead. A sac fly to deep left field made it an 8-0 game three batters later.

Tech placed another runner on third after Yvonne Whaley led off the bottom of the third with a triple to left field, but Japan retired the next three batters in order to maintain its lead. Japan used one hit to produce one more run in the top of the fourth before freshman Morgan Hornback kept the visiting team off the board in the top of the fifth.

Despite posting its first spotless defensive inning, the Red Raiders were unable to overcome the deficit in the bottom of the frame and fell to Japan, 9-0, in five innings.

COMING UP NEXT
The Texas Tech softball team continues action at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic tomorrow with a 1:30 matchup against No. 17 Oregon and 10 p.m. contest against San Diego State. Live stats will be available for both games, as well as a live stream through FloSoftball. For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter and Instagram.