Tech Softball Drops Big 12 Opener to No. 2 Oklahoma

Friday, March 22

Lubbock, TX

2 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

27-3, 0

Oklahoma

27-2, 0

Oklahoma

Texas Tech

Tech Softball Drops Big 12 Opener to No. 2 Oklahoma

March 22, 2019 | Softball

Box Score

Karli Hamilton and Jessica Hartwell combined for the Red Raiders’ three hits.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – An RBI triple from Jessica Hartwell helped the Texas Tech softball team (27-3) tie the Sooners early, but it was not enough as No. 2 Oklahoma claimed a 5-1 decision in the opening game of the Red Raiders' first Big 12 series, Friday afternoon at Rocky Johnson Field.

The only Red Raider to cross home plate, Karli Hamilton led the lineup with two hits against Oklahoma starter Giselle Juarez. Hartwell was the other Red Raider to collect a hit – an RBI triple in the bottom of the first – and Kelcy Leach led the squad with two walks.

Tech starter Missy Zoch threw four complete innings and surrendered just five hits to the second-ranked Sooners. Sophomore hurler Erin Edmoundson entered the circle in relief in the top of the fifth, but Zoch was issued the loss and dropped to 10-1 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Oklahoma used a walk, single and sacrifice fly in the first inning to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. However, Tech fought its way back into the game with a pair of hits in the bottom of the frame.

Hamilton kicked off the bottom of the inning with a smoked single to right field and Hartwell followed up two batters later when she belted an RBI triple past All-American Jocelyn Alo in right.

Both teams were held silent in the second inning, but the Sooners used a walk, single and triple to take a two-run lead in the third inning. The Sooners tacked on two more runs in the top of the fourth on a two-run homer to left field.

Tech used walks to put runners on in the third in fourth innings but struggled to cut into Oklahoma's lead.

Edmoundson entered the game after a leadoff double started the fifth. With runners on second and third, she used a strikeout and line out in the circle to escape the jam.

Hamilton collected her second single of the day in the bottom of the inning, but she was stranded to end the fifth.

Edmoundson and the Tech defense kept the Sooners at bay in the sixth and seventh innings, but the offense could not get anything going and the Red Raiders fell by a score of 5-1. With the loss, Tech drops to 27-3 on the season and 0-1 in Big 12 play.

COMING UP NEXT
Game two against the Sooners is slated for 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, at Rocky Johnson Field. Live stats, as well as a live stream, will be available for the game. For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter and Instagram.