Tech sets single-season home run record, topples No. 18 Baylor

Friday, April 14

Lubbock, Texas

6:30 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

29-15, 3-7

Baylor

31-10, 2-5

Baylor

Texas Tech

Tech sets single-season home run record, topples No. 18 Baylor

April 14, 2023 | Softball

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Demi Elder’s heroics secures fourth ranked win

By: Hanna Cooper

LUBBOCK, Texas – Down two. Two runners on. One away from the record. Boom.

Demi Elder was the hero in Texas Tech's fourth ranked win of the season as she blasted the first pitch of her at-bat in the bottom of the sixth. The sophomore not only handed the Red Raiders the decisive 10-8 lead but recorded the home run that broke Tech's single-season record.

"What a way to break the home run record, giving us the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth" head coach Craig Snider said. "All year, our kids have battled. They have hunted pitches and been pesky at the plate. I think people are starting to realize that this team can swing the bat. Hats off to Demi – sending her first pitch off a new pitcher over the wall. That's special, and I am proud of the ball club."

Record breaking with a chance of showers ?? pic.twitter.com/fU5lMCvJTP
— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) April 15, 2023

The Red Raiders (29-15, 3-7 Big 12) entered tonight's contest three homers shy of the program's single-season record that was set back in 2012. Home runs from Alanna Barraza and Ellie Bailey set up Elder to shatter the record with at least nine games left in the season. Barraza finished the night going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Tonight's win also marked Tech's fourth ranked win of the season after sweeping a double header against No. 25 Texas State and toppling No. 22 Maryland. It marks the eighth time in program history and first since 2019, that the Red Raiders have beat four top-25 teams in a season.

"Our ball club did a phenomenal job tonight," Snider said. "They stuck to the game plan and continued to battle. I can't say enough about the fight and fortitude of the team tonight."

After a quiet opening two frames, Barraza broke the ice with a three-run blast in the bottom of the third.

Baylor (31-10, 2-5 Big 12) got a run back in the top of the fourth after Shaylon Govan hit a solo home run. The Bears would come back within a run in the top of the fifth off an RBI fielder's choice; however, back-to-back singles from Barraza and Arriana Villa would plate Ellie Bailey, who reached on a dropped third strike. The single by Villa gave Tech a 4-2 lead.

The Bears seemingly secured a come-from-behind win with a six-run top of the sixth inning to take an 8-4 lead late in the ball game, but the Red Raiders wouldn't back down. Tech put up a six-run frame of its own in the home half of the sixth to regain the lead and secure the win.

With two outs on the board, Kailey Wyckoff kickstarted the rally with a triple to left center that plated the first run of the inning. Bailey followed directly behind Wyckoff and rocketed a two-run homer to bring Tech back with in one.

With two outs still on the board, an Alanna Barraza single and a walk kept the energy alive. After a Baylor pitching change, Elder stepped up to the plate unfazed and sent the first pitch she saw over the center-field wall.

After starting the matchup, Sage Hoover (SV 2) reentered the contest with one out and quickly forced a fly out for the second out of the frame. Elder then came up clutch with a diving catch in foul territory to clinch the victory over the 18th-ranked Bears.

Kendall Fritz (9-4) earned the victory in 1.1 innings worth of relief work. The righty entered in sixth for Olivia Rains and scattered two hits to pick up ninth win of the season.

Dariana Orme (13-5) suffered the hard-fought loss for the Bears after being responsible for the go-ahead runner on base when RyLee Crandall entered and gave up the home run to Elder. After allowing just 17 earned runs all season, Tech tagged Orme for nine runs, eight of which were earned.

Next Up
The Red Raiders will go for the series win in game two tomorrow. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.