February 26, 1999

Las Cruces, N.M. -

The Texas Tech softball team found what they wanted today---the win column.

After falling to 8-9 on the season, Texas Tech entered the Troy Cox Tournament looking for offensive consistency and quality pitching from Emily Hayes. They got both.

In game one against New Mexico, the Red Raiders drew first blood after Kim Martinez and Aimee Weathers scored following a Paula Workman single. In the fourth inning New Mexico evened the score after two straight home runs by Marianna Fenelli and Kathy Moore. It would take extra innnings, but the Red Raiders were able to pull away after the international tie-breaker was put into action. (under this rule a runner is placed on second base after the game has lasted 2 hours). Lauren Warner homered to bring home Eva Harshman (runner on second) and Tech was able to escape with 4-2 victory.

In game two, Tech was put into a rematch of the UTA/Pepsi Tournament consolation game against Northwestern. Tech defeated Northwestern in that game 15-2 to win the consolation title. But, this time things weren't as easy.

Tech cruised to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning but allowed Northwestern to tie the score after a Gretchen Barnes home run. The game went to eight innings before Tech was able to pull away after a Paula Workman single that would score pinch runner Jennifer Beach.

Note: Emily Hayes pitched her first complete game of the season in game one vs. New Mexico