Texas Tech Athletics
New Mexico
Tech Splits Tight Twin Bill with Lobos
April 28, 2008 | Softball
April 28, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - In its final double header of the year, Texas Tech softball picked up a game-one win over New Mexico, 4-3, before dropping a hard fought game two, 1-0. Senior Sarah Losleben struck out a season-high seven batters in game one, while Montana Patin went 4-6 with 3 RBI to pace Tech on the day.
The Lobos (23-20) put the first run of the afternoon on an error to take an early 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first. Tech fought back in the second to even the score on a Megan Shupp solo home run, her fifth of the season. Leah Legler tagged up and scored on a deep fly ball from Patin to give Tech the 2-1 lead. UNM would get another run on a home run by Katie Gilmore to tie the score at two.
Whitney Riley and Legler both singled in the bottom of the fifth to set up a triple by Patin to score the potential-winning runs and make the score 4-2. The Lobos would score a run in the sixth on an error, but they were unable to rally past Tech as the Red Raiders took the 4-3 decision
Home plate didn't see a lot of action in game two as the pitchers dominated the action. Alex Watkins turned a solid outing from the circle, keeping a strong Lobo offense off balance through five innings. UNM scored the lone run of the day in the sixth on a solo home run from Lindsey Elcess to give the Lobos the lead at 1-0.
Tech had a chance to rally in the bottom of the sixth as it put runners on second on third with no outs, but UNM made a pair of great stops and the Lobos hurler forced a flyout to end the Red Raider threat. Tech had another chance in the seventh, putting its leadoff hitter on second with one out, but a UNM fielder made a diving catch and threw back to second for the double play to end the game.
"If you have to lose a game, this is it," Tech coach Teresa Wilson said. "The good thing is that these games have no bearing on the conference or us finishing .500. It is to work on things that will have a bearing on the conference games."
Patin paced Tech with her 4-6 showing on the day while adding 3 RBI. Legler was 2-6 and scored two runs. Shupp was 1-3 with an RBI and a run scored. With the game one win, Sarah Losleben improved to 4-3. Despite throwing a strong game two, Watkins (1-5) picked up the loss.
The Red Raiders will now gear up for this weekend's battle with Oklahoma State that will help determine conference tournament seeding. Fans can follow the action live at www.texastech.com.
