Red Raiders Drop 7-5 Decision to BYU

Friday, February 28

Fullerton, CA

11:30 AM

Texas Tech Athletics

10-8

Brigham Young University

12-5

Texas Tech

Brigham Young

Photo by: Lexa Hamilton

February 28, 2020 | Softball

Box Score

Karli Hamilton blasted her first home run of the season.

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

FULLERTON, Calif. – Senior Karli Hamilton blasted her first home run of the season to give the Red Raiders an early lead, but they could not hold on and the Texas Tech softball team dropped a 7-5 decision to BYU on Friday at Titan Sports Complex.

The Red Raiders out-hit the Cougars 7-5, but Missy Zoch and Erin Edmoundson could not limit BYU's runs. Zoch, who tossed the first 1.2 innings, surrendered four runs and Edmoundson was issued the loss after allowing the Cougars' final three runs. GiGi Wall took over the circle for the final 2.1 innings and did not surrender a hit.

Hamilton, Edmoundson and Heaven Burton led the Tech lineup with two hits apiece and Zoe Jones was the other Red Raider to tally a base hit. Hamilton's home run accounted for two of Tech's three RBI and Peyton Blythe was responsible for the other.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Red Raiders got off to a quick start after Burton reached first on a dropped third strike. Battling to a 2-2 count, Hamilton put Tech at an early 2-0 advantage with a two-run home run that sailed over the left-field wall.

However, the Cougars responded immediately in the bottom of the inning and BYU's Rylee Jensen-McFarland cut into Tech's lead, 2-1, with a leadoff homer off Zoch. After another base hit, Tech's senior pitcher responded with a pair of strikeouts to end the inning.

The Red Raiders were unable to respond in the top of the second and a trio of Cougar walks loaded the bases in the bottom frame. Needing just one more out to escape the jam, Edmoundson took over the circle but she gave up a three-RBI triple and BYU took the lead, 4-2.

Despite the sudden setback, the Red Raiders responded in the next frame and back-to-back singles by Burton and Hamilton, followed by a double steal, moved runners into scoring position. Jones was plunked by a pitch to load the bases and an RBI ground out from Blythe cut Tech's deficit down to one run. An error at third base allowed the tying run to cross the plate and Tech took the lead in the next at-bat when Edmoundson stole second. Jones sprinted home on the throw and slid in safely to give the Red Raiders a narrow 5-4 lead.

However, another leadoff home run in the bottom of the inning, this time by BYU's Huntyr Ava, evened up the game, 5-5. Tech tried to respond after an error and another single from Burton put runners on first and second, but the Red Raiders were once again unable to bring in a run.

A throwing error in the circle allowed BYU's leadoff runner to reach base and a Cougar was hit by a pitch two batters later to put runners on first and second. Edmoundson produced an easy foul out in the next at-bat, but she loaded the bases during the next at-bat with her second hit batter of the inning. The southpaw tried to hold the stalemate, but a double through the right side scored two Cougars and Tech fell behind 7-5. Wall replaced Edmoundson in the circle following the runs and she squandered the momentum with an easy strikeout.

A leadoff walk to Maddie Westmoreland and another Cougar error gave Tech runners on first and second to start the sixth inning. However, a strikeout followed in the next at-bat and a fielder's choice and a grounder to short ended Tech's threat.

Wall shut down the Cougars in the bottom of the inning, but Tech was unable to overcome the deficit and dropped a two-run game to BYU.

With the loss, Tech falls to 10-8 on the season.

COMING UP NEXT
The Red Raiders are set to close out the Judi Garman Classic tomorrow with a pair of night games against No. 13/11 Michigan (7 p.m. CT) and Grand Canyon (10 p.m. CT). Live stats, as well as live streams, will be available for both games. For all the latest information on the Texas Tech softball team, visit TexasTech.com or follow @TexasTechSB on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.