Feb. 11, 2000

HONOLULU - The Texas Tech fastpitch softball team fought hard but came away empty handed against the defending national champion UCLA Bruins today in the opening game of the Chevron Paradise Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. The Red Raiders dropped a close, defensive struggle to the Bruins, 3-2. Amanda Renfro was the pitcher of record for Tech, pitching the complete game and allowing three earned runs, and drops to 0-4 on the season with the loss. Overall, Tech drops to 0-7. Amanda Freed earned the win for UCLA who remains a perfect 7-0 on the year.

"This was a good game for us, especially after the slow start we had last weekend," Tech head coach Renee Luers-Gillespie said. "We had all our players making good contact on the ball, had a great pitching performance and played a good game defensively. This should give us some confidence and show that when we play a good error free game we can play with anyone. My hat goes off to UCLA. They're a great team, No. 1 in the nation. I'm looking forward to hopefully playing them again Sunday in the championship game."

Things got off to a shaky start for the Red Raiders. Renfro allowed two hits in the top of the first and UCLA took an early 1-0 lead. However, the team settled down and the score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth when the explosive Bruin offense racked up two runs off three hits. The Bruins were aided by a lead off triple off the bat of Lyndsey Klein. Julie Marshall brought Klein in on a single and it was all UCLA would need.

The Red Raiders made a run at the upset. In the sixth inning with the score 3-1 Bruins and Sandy Butler at second base, Eva Harshman hit what appeared to be a triple down the left field line. Harshman was sliding into third base before the third base umpire called the hit a foul ball. Instead of a 3-2 score with the tying run at third base, Harshman was sent back to the plate and Butler was sent to second base. Harshman eventually struck out and the call proved to be costly as the next batter, Shauna Briggs, doubled into left center, a hit that would have easily scored Harshman from third.

The Raiders threatened again in the seventh. With two outs and a runner at second, Tiffany Harrington came to the plate. After doubling her last time up, Harrington flew out to deep left center to end the game.

Tech is back in action tomorrow as they play against No. 15 Long Beach State and No. 20 Hawaii.