Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
Oklahoma State
Grand Slam Lifts Tech Past Cowgirls
May 03, 2008 | Softball
May 3, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - With conference tournament seeding on the line, Texas Tech softball powered its way past the Cowgirls of Oklahoma State Saturday, 5-3. Jennifer Bowers blasted a grand slam on a 3-2 offering in the sixth to give Tech the runs it would need. With today's win, the Red Raiders are assured no worse than a sixth place finish in the conference and gives them their best conference record since 2001.
OSU (25-24, 8-9) took the early advantage in the third when Kim Kaye homered to make the score 1-0. With the Cowgirls still ahead in the fourth, OSU added two more runs on a single by Katelyn Bright to increase its lead to 3-0.
It appeared to be all Cowgirls in the contest as Anna Whiddon held the Red Raiders to just one hit through five innings. Tech (22-34, 8-9) rallied in a big way in the sixth, putting up five runs on five hits. Elizabeth Eimen, who came on to pinch hit, started the inning with a single to center. Leah Legler then reached on a fielder's choice, and Devin Zaragoza doubled to right. Jennifer Corkin drew a walk to load the bases and set the stage for Bowers, who with a full count blasted a grand slam to center to give Tech the 4-3 lead. With the bases empty, Lauren Preston drew a walk and Alex Watkins singled to left. Robyn Wike shook off a recent funk with a single to score Preston and make the score 5-3.
OSU would have a chance to rally in the seventh, but it was unable to get anything going offensively against Sarah Losleben, who had come on in relief of Ashly Jacobs. Losleben retired the first two batters and gave up a hit to the Cowgirls' Heather Kim. With the tying run at the plate, Losleben forced the Cowgirls' Ashley Boyd to ground out to second for the final out and give Tech the win.
Bowers was huge on the day for Tech as she went 2-3 with 4 RBI and a run scored. Wike finished 1-3 with an RBI. Losleben gave up just one hit while striking out two in three and a third innings to pick up the win and improve to 5-3 on the year.
Tech finishes its series against OSU tomorrow at noon. It will be the final game of the regular season and senior day for the Red Raiders. Fans can follow the action from Rocky Johnson Field live at www.texastech.com.
