February 12, 1999

Arlington,Texas -

The Texas Tech softball team came into the UTA Tournament looking to improve upon their 1-2 season record. However, the Red Raiders weren't able to get in the win column today as they lost to #24 Illinois-Chicago 5-3, and Southwest Texas 4-2.

Tech started the morning off against the Flames of the University of Illinois-Chicago in game one of Pool C play. The Flames cruised off to a 4-0 lead in the first inning as they had four runs on three hits and one error. Tech made a run in the second inning as senior Stephanie Walls doubled and batted in both Tamara Harrington and Lauren Warner. On the next play, senior Jenny Kohler singled and Stephanie Walls ran home to bring Tech within one. But, in the top of the fifth inning, the Flame's Jennifer Tiffany scored after an error by third baseman Kim Martinez to bring the final score to 5-3.

In the second game, Tech once again fell behind early and was unable to recover as the Red Raiders committed two costly errors. The Bobcats of Southwest Texas came out firing as they scored all four runs in the first and second innings. Kelly Armbruster (red-shirt freshmen from Abilene) made her first Division 1 start today in a losing effort. Armbruster walked four batters before being replaced by senior Emily Hayes in the second inning. Tech got two runs in the bottom of the third inning by sophomore Sandy Butler and junior-transfer Shauna Briggs.

Tech plays Nicholls State, which defeated the University of Kentucky 5-1 earlier today, tomorrow morning at 9:00. The Red Raiders will begin tournament bracket play on Saturday afternoon.