Texas Tech Athletics
Arizona
Red Raiders Close Season with 10-2 Loss to Arizona
May 22, 2011 | Softball
May 22, 2011
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | 
Postgame Press Conference
Tucson, Ariz. - Texas Tech closed one of the best seasons in school history with a 10-2 loss Sunday afternoon to No. 8 seed Arizona in the regional finale of the NCAA Tucson Regional at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.
The Red Raiders finish the season 42-16 overall, marking the second-most wins in school history. Tech was playing in the regional championship for the second-straight year but was unable to advance to its first super regional in school history.
"I couldn't be prouder of the effort from our group not only today but the entire season," head coach Shanon Hays said. "I thought we battled with one of the best teams in the country, and although the score may not indicate it, we were in the game throughout. This is a great group of kids, and we are excited to have them at Texas Tech."
Lini Koria broke open a scoreless game in the top of the second as the designated player hit her 15th home run of the year barely over the fence in left-center, giving the Wildcats the early run advantage.
After the Wildcats put two runners on later in the inning, Hays pulled starter Kelsey Dennis in favor of Brittany Talley. The freshman fared no better, however, as she eventually walked in another run.
Tech walked two hitters with the bases loaded, while plunking one other as the Tech pitching staff combined to walk a school record 10 batters in the game.
Arizona starter Kenzie Fowler (26-7), meanwhile, limited the Red Raiders only five hits in the game while issuing three walks of her own. The right-hander came into the game having not allowed a run in her previous two outings during the regional.
The Red Raiders had a chance to get on the board early in the game with two runners in scoring position to start the game, but Fowler was able to force Richardson into a fly ball to center to end the inning.
Raven Richardson plated Tech's first run of the game off a solo home run over the fence in center, pulling the Red Raiders to a 6-1 deficit at the time. The homer was Richardson's second of the regional and 10th of the season.
Logan Hall came close an inning earlier to possibly starting a big inning for Tech, but her long fly ball to the wall in left was caught by Brittany Lastrapes. The catch kept Emily Bledsoe from getting in scoring position as Fowler proceeded to shut down the Red Raiders the rest of the inning.
Arizona broke open the game in the sixth, plating four runs in the inning, highlighted by a Baillie Kirker two-run homer that put the Wildcats in position to end the game via run rule.
Dennis (13-6) took the loss for the Red Raiders as she gave up two runs over 1.2 innings before giving way to Talley, who pitched the next two innings in relief. Ashley Brokeshoulder and Karli Merlich also saw time in the circle.
The Red Raiders will be looking for success once again next season as Tech does not lose any players due to graduation.
