No. 15/14 Softball Splits at Iowa State

Saturday, March 30

Ames, IA

2 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

28-5, 1-3

Iowa State

17-14, 0-4

Texas Tech

Iowa State

No. 15/14 Softball Splits at Iowa State

March 30, 2019 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Texas Tech clinched game one but dropped game two to the Cyclones.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

AMES, Iowa – The No. 15/14 Red Raiders ground out an 8-3, game-one victory at Iowa State before dropping a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Cyclones, Saturday afternoon at Cyclone Sports Complex.

With the split, Texas Tech moved to 28-6 on the season and 1-4 in Big 12 Conference play. Along with the Red Raiders, junior transfer Missy Zoch split the day and rose to 11-3 on the season.

Junior Karli Hamilton led the lineup with five hits in two games and senior shortstop Taylor Satchell highlighted the Tech offense with a two-out grand slam in the seventh inning of the series opener.

GAME ONE – Texas Tech 8, Iowa State 3
After yesterday's rain postponed the final three innings, Tech began the day with a 3-2 lead at Cyclone Sports Complex. Hamilton drove in Tech's first run of the game in the top of the third and Yvonne Whaley scored on a ground out to the pitcher in the next at-bat. One batter later, Jessica Hartwell drilled her third triple of the season to score Hamilton and put Tech up, 3-0.

However, a walk, error and single loaded the bases for the Cyclones with just one out in the bottom of the inning. A single to shallow right field off Zoch plated Iowa State's first run of the game and a bases-loaded walk allowed the Cyclones to cut into Tech's lead, 3-2.

Neither team was able to scratch across a run in the fourth, but Hartwell drew a walk to start the top of the fifth. Taking advantage of the wet conditions, she immediately stole second before the rain came down and ultimately postponed the game.

Returning this afternoon, the Red Raiders came out with ferocity when Hartwell stole third on the first pitch delivered from Iowa State starter Emma Hylen. A throwing error on the play sent the ball sailing into foul territory and Hartwell game sprinting home to give Tech a two-run advantage.

The Cyclones stayed within striking distance and answered Tech's run in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff home run from Sally Woolpert. However, the Tech defense escaped the inning with minimal damage and Zoch struck out the side in the sixth to send the Red Raiders into the seventh inning with a one-run lead.

After an early ground out, Hamilton, Heaven Burton and Hartwell strung together three consecutive singles. After an untimely strikeout, Satchell provided plenty of breathing room and blasted Tech's fifth grand slam of the season to give the Red Raiders a commanding 8-3 lead.

Iowa State tried to respond in the final frame, but a double play and strikeout from Zoch ended the threat and clinched the 8-3 victory. With the win, Tech earned its first win of Big 12 Conference play and Zoch improved to 11-2 on the season.

GAME TWO – Iowa State 6, Texas Tech 5
The Red Raiders led by one going into the final inning, but it was four errors that led to the team's demise in a narrow, 6-5 loss to the Cyclones.

The Red Raiders got off to a hot start in game two as back-to-back singles from Burton and Hartwell put runners on the corners. Collecting her 13^th stolen base of the year, Hartwell stole second and Burton took off on the throw to score Tech's first run of the game.

However, Iowa State came roaring back and used a pair of solo home runs and four total hits off Tech starter Erin Edmoundson to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the inning.

Neither team was able to score in the second, but the Red Raiders chipped away at the Cyclones' lead with one run in the top of the third. A one-out double from Hamilton put immediate pressure on the Iowa State defense and a ground out in the next at-bat moved her over to third. Cutting into Iowa State's lead, Hartwell forced an error at third and Hamilton was able to score as a result.

After Edmoundson collected a bases-loaded strikeout to end the third, the Red Raiders kept their foot on the gas pedal and freshman Peyton Blythe tied up the game, 3-3, with an RBI double down the right-field line.

The Cyclones took a 4-3 the lead in the bottom of the fourth after Sami Williams launched a solo shot over the left-field wall – her second home run of the day off Edmoundson.

Determined to stay in the fight, back-to-back walks in the top of the fifth allowed Burton and Hartwell to reach base and an infield fly from pinch hitter Morgan Hornback moved the pair over into scoring position. After Satchell drew a one-out walk, Russell evened up the game at four runs apiece with a sacrifice fly that sailed deep into center field.

Zoch took over in the bottom half of the inning and the Red Raiders posted their first three up, three down frame to keep the score even at 4-4. Riding the momentum into the sixth, Blythe kicked off the inning with her second double of the game – a laser that bounced off the right-center wall. An infield single from Hamilton moved her over to third and an error on the play allowed Blythe to come darting home to give Tech a 5-4 advantage.

However, a leadoff double for Iowa State put immediate pressure on the Tech defense in the bottom of the seventh. A single to short one batter later placed runners on the corners and a throwing error by Kelcy Leach allowed the tying run to come home. Zoch responded to the switch in momentum with a strikeout but an error by Zoe Jones at second base allowed the game-ending run to score and Iowa State claimed the 6-5, walk-off win.

COMING UP NEXT
The Red Raiders are set to close out their Big 12 Conference series at Iowa State tomorrow at 12 p.m. 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.