Russell Delivers Game-Winning Blow Against Syracuse

Friday, February 21

Houston, TX

2:00 PM

Texas Tech Athletics

9-3

Syracuse

3-5

Texas Tech

Syracuse

Russell Delivers Game-Winning Blow Against Syracuse

February 21, 2020 | Softball

Box Score

Breanna Russell’s third home run of the season sealed Tech’s 4-3 victory.

HOUSTON – A two-run home run from Breanna Russell in the top of the sixth powered the Texas Tech softball team to a 4-3, come-from-behind victory over Syracuse, Friday afternoon at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Zoe Jones was the other Red Raider to launch a long ball, doing so in the top of the second. Heaven Burton was the other Red Raider to record a hit and Russell let the lineup with two.

Missy Zoch, who entered in relief, picked up the win and struck out six Orange batters through four complete innings. Now 3-2 on the season, Zoch did not allow a base runner and she silenced the Syracuse lineup with four consecutive 1-2-3 innings.

With the win, the Red Raiders improve to 9-3 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After Tech starter GiGi Wall kept the Orange off the board in the first, the Red Raiders cracked open the scoring thanks to a two-run homer from Jones in the top of the second. However, Syracuse answered back with a three-run home run in the bottom of the frame after an error at short extended the inning.

Trailing 3-2 in the top of the fourth, Breanna Russell tried to spark a rally with a single to center field, but pinch runner Amanda DeSario was doubled off and Tech ended the frame unable to even the score.

Zoch entered the circle to start the bottom of the fourth and she silenced the Syracuse bats by striking out the side.

The Red Raiders were once again unable to score in the top of the fifth and Myamie Thompson stepped in as Tech's new shortstop in the bottom of the inning. She immediately went to work and the defense posted its third 1-2-3 inning to head back to the plate.

After Burton snuck a one-out single up the middle to start the sixth, she moved into scoring position thanks to her first stolen base of the weekend. Still behind by one, Russell stepped up to the plate with two outs and pressure looming. Russell fell to 2-2 in the count and proceeded to fight through a trio of pitches from Syracuse's Catie Dobbs. Narrowing her focus, Russell barreled up on the next pitch and blasted the go-ahead run on a two-run shot that put the Red Raiders ahead, 4-3.

Zoch fielded two grounders and chalked up another strikeout to prevent another Syracuse run in the bottom of the sixth and her fourth three up, three down outing ended the game and secured the one-run victory for the Red Raiders.

COMING UP NEXT
The Red Raiders will continue action tomorrow against Louisiana Tech (9 a.m.) and Houston (4:30 p.m.). Live stats will be available for both contests. For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.