Tech sweeps day two of Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament

Friday, February 17

El Paso, Texas

2 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

5-2

Santa Clara

1-5

Texas Tech

Santa Clara

Tech sweeps day two of Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament

February 17, 2023 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score

Home runs power Tech past host UTEP in the nightcap

By: Hanna Cooper

EL PASO, Texas – Powered by two late home runs in the nightcap, and a strong offensive performance in the opener, Texas Tech kept rolling Friday afternoon, defeating Santa Clara 9-1 and host UTEP 5-4 at Helen of Troy Field.

Winners of five straight games, the Red Raiders (6-2) used the first career home run by Kailey Wyckoff to tie game two at four, before Ellie Bailey followed with the go-ahead blast to put Tech on top 5-4.

With the lead for the first time in the game, Kendall Fritz worked around a pair of no-out UTEP (3-4) singles to finish the deal. Fritz (2-0) threw 3.1 innings allowing just four hits and one run.

The Red Raider offense shined in the opening game of the day, using a six-run second inning to blow past Santa Clara (1-5), 9-1.

"We were absolutely gritty today," head coach Craig Snider said. "We knew it would be a battle, and our team showed up and played the game at a high level! I am very proud of them!"

Game One: Texas Tech 9, Santa Clara 1
Sage Hoover (3-0) opened the game firing on all cylinders, striking out the side in the opening frame. With momentum, the Tech bats came alive in the second, scoring six runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead.

Abbie Orrick kickstarted the Red Raider offense with a single up the middle. Peyton Blythe then followed with a two-run bomb, her second of the weekend, to plate Tech's first two runs of the game.

After Wyckoff reached on a one-out infield single, the catcher scored one batter later when Alanna Barraza ripped a double to center. After a pop out put two outs on the board, Makinzy Herzog hit a single to score Barraza. Arriana Villa then capped off the six-run inning with a two-run home run to left.

Santa Clara's lone run of the contest came in the bottom of the second when Abigail Charpentier singled to score Sammy Needham, who reached on a hit by pitch.

Tech added another run in the top of the third as Dee McClarity singled to plate Wyckoff, who reached on a two-out double.

Hoover retired six of the next seven to send the contest in the top of the fifth.

Needing two-runs to force a run-rule, Demi Elder reached on a single to left field to bring the needed second run to the plate. Barraza then smashed her first home run of the season to give Tech a 9-1 lead and put the run-rule into effect.

Hoover returned to the circle and again retired the side to secure a two-hit win over the Broncos.

Hannah Edwards (0-2) suffered the loss after allowing six runs and six hits in 1.2 innings of action.

Game Two: Texas Tech 5, UTEP 4
Wyckoff picked the perfect time to record her first career homer, as the catcher launched an 0-2 pitch over the center field wall. The blast tied the contest at 4-4.

The momentum carried into the top of the seventh as Bailey rocketed a leadoff home run to hand Tech the decisive 5-4 lead.

A pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third for UTEP in its final at bat. With one out, Fritz forced a pop-out and a fly-out to earn her first win of the season.

After a three-run home run saw UTEP take a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, the Red Raiders punched back in the top of the third when a passed ball scored Riley Love. Peyton Blythe then followed with a single to score Herzog. Blythe's hit brought Tech back within a run (3-2).

Tech tied the game one inning when Elder scored on a fielding error by the Miners.

The teams traded zeros until the bottom of the fifth when two hits and walk loaded the bases for UTEP with one-out. Fritz forced a pop out to get the second out of the inning before walking in the go-ahead run for the Miners. With the game on the line, Wyckoff's and Bailey's home runs sealed the deal for the Red Raiders.

Mackenzee Collins (0-1) suffered the loss for the Miners after entering in the sixth. Collins surrendered the go-ahead home run to Bailey in the top of the seventh.

Notable

This marks the second straight season that Texas Tech has strung together a five-game win streak.
The five-game road streak marks the first time the Red Raiders have won five consecutive road contests since 2020.
Sage Hoover hurled eight strikeouts in five innings of action in game one of the day. The eight strikeouts marked a new season-high for the Edgewood, Texas native.

Next Up
Texas Tech will take on New Mexico and UTEP in day three of the Dr. Diana Natalicio Memorial Tournament. First pitch in game one versus the Lobos is set for 2 p.m.