Texas Tech University Athletics
Texas Tech Athletics
14-14, 0
Iowa State
15-17, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 16 | 0 |
| Iowa State | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Tech Run-Rules Cyclones 18-4 in Big 12 Opener
March 24, 2017 | Softball
Red Raiders explode for 13 first-inning runs en route to 1-0 start to Big 12 play.
AMES, Iowa – Texas Tech erupted for 13 runs in the top of the first as the Red Raiders defeated Iowa State 18-4 in five innings Friday at Cyclone Sports Complex in Ames.
Tech, which outhit the Cyclones 16-5, sent 18 batters to the plate in the first inning, connecting on eight hits while drawing five base on balls and forcing three Cyclones errors in the frame. It marked the biggest inning for Tech in a Big 12 game in school history.
The win moves Tech to 14-14 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play, while Iowa State falls to 15-17, 0-1 in the Big 12.
All nine starters recorded hits and scored a run for the Red Raiders. Seniors Susan Welborn and Brittany Warnecke both went 3-4 with two doubles each, while Welborn and senior Devon Thomey brought home four RBI to lead the way.
"It can't go unsaid how great they played today," head coach Adrian Gregory said. "They came out with great momentum, visualized what they wanted to have happen and made it happen. I'm excited for them. We played really well. Clearly, we swung well, but we played great defense and our pitchers did what we needed them to do. It was a great start to our Big 12 season."
A lineup switch by Gregory moved senior Kierra Miles to leadoff and senior Devon Thomey to cleanup, firsts for both in their playing careers. As a result, Miles went 2-3 with a walk and two stolen bases, while Thomey went 2-3 with a home run and four RBI.
"If you look at how Thomey hits with depth on the ball and how Miles is swinging base-to-base right now that you make this switch," Gregory said. "You get Kierra leading off, who has a high on base percentage, and you get Devon at cleanup who has been hitting well with runners in scoring positions. It was kind of fun, and the coolest part is they were all in with the change. They had probably their best at bats of the year today. It was fun that they were all in."
Junior Cheyene Powell (2-2) got the win in relief, tossing 2.1 innings and giving up just two hits. Freshman Kassidy Scott threw two solid innings, giving up one run on one hit with a strikeout.
The Red Raiders return to the field tomorrow for game two versus the Cyclones. First pitch is currently scheduled for noon, weather permitting.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Gregory on the series outlook…
"Anytime that they see your pitcher less, it's better," Gregory said. "It was huge for us to have a really big inning and then hold them to minimal runs, so that we can get our kids out of there who have been in a lot of innings lately. It's huge for us to be able to rest our kids heading into games two and three."
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POST-GAME NOTES
- Texas Tech won the series opener against the Cyclones for the first time since 2014.
- The Red Raiders improve to 31-17 against Iowa State and 14-10 in Ames.
- Tech's 13-run inning in the top of the first was its biggest inning in Big 12 play in school history.
- Tech's 17 runs is the most it has scored in a Big 12 opener in school history.
- 13 runs in an inning is the most for Tech since a 16-run second inning against Jackson State on March 1, 2013.
- Tech's 17 runs is the most it has scored in a game this season.
- 17 runs and 16 hits is the most for Tech since scoring 19 runs on 22 hits on April 2, 2016 against Oklahoma State.
- This marks the third time Tech has run-ruled an opponent this season and the first time Tech has run-ruled a Big 12 opponent on the road since a 9-1 win over Oklahoma State on April 19, 2015.
- Tech's six double marks the most in a game dating back to at least 2011.
- Sophomore Kenzie Davis posted her first multi-hit game of her career, going 2-2 with two runs and a walk.
- 27 total bases for Tech was its most of the season.
????? #WreckEm #TIHWR pic.twitter.com/KC1JgaQmm3
— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) March 24, 2017
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Powell, Cheyene (2-2)
L: Weilbacher (9-7)
Batting:
2B: Thomey, Devon 1 ; Welborn, Susan 2 ; Warnecke, Brittany 2 ; Workman, Kiana 1
3B: Ramsey, Kiani 1
HR: Thomey, Devon 1
RBI: Ramsey, Kiani 2 ; Hartwell, Jessica 1 ; Thomey, Devon 4 ; Welborn, Susan 4 ; Warnecke, Brittany 1
SF: Hartwell, Jessica 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miles, Kierra 3 ; Ramsey, Kiani 1 ; Hartwell, Jessica 2 ; Thomey, Devon 3 ; O'Neal, Raina 2 ; Welborn, Susan 2 ; Warnecke, Brittany 2 ; Davis, Kenzie 2 ; Workman, Kiana 1
SB: Miles, Kierra 2 ; Davis, Kenzie 1
Batting:
2B: McFarland 1 ; Lewis 1 ; Caudle 1
RBI: Lewis 2 ; Caudle 1 ; Bosworth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bingham 1 ; McFarland 1 ; Lewis 2
HBP: Lewis 1
